By George! Someone in a village near Petersfield is a little bit cross as they’re seeing red with motorists.

Making unauthorised red and white markings on the highway has become a thing in recent weeks – just look at the mini roundabouts in Bordon, for instance.

So we just had to flag up this story of someone using the same coloured spray paint to send a message to speeding drivers in Liss Forest.

The “30” circle and “slow down” markings appeared on Forest Road, near the junctions with Warren Road and Briar Rood, around the beginning of September.

They have appeared with good cause as the road is often used as a rat run by speeding motorists wanting to avoid the southbound queues at the A3 Ham Barn junction.

It goes without saying they were the work of a resident and not Hampshire County Council – but unlike the red crosses which have appeared on roundabouts around the country, these markings won’t be removed.

“These are unauthorised, hand-painted road markings,” said a spokesperson for HCC.

“As it does not present a safety concern, we will allow them to naturally fade. With limited resources, our priority is to direct resources to safety-critical issues across the highway network.”

The spokesperson added: “We would also remind members of the public that placing any markings or items on the public highway poses a risk to both themselves and other road users.”

Cllr Russell Oppenheimer, who represents Liss on HCC, said he could understand this rationale but couldn’t support the actions of the guerilla artist.

He said: “I would add that at HCC we do not condone graffiti and I would ask residents not to engage in similar actions which would be considered by many people to be damaging to the natural beauty of our area.”