MYSTERIOUS tree people have been cropping up across Hampshire's countryside - but they have left woodland experts baffled.

Now the Daily Echo is asking, do you know where the army of forest folk is coming from?

The strange, sinister-looking effigies have been spotted at roadsides around the county, propped up by a pole or fence, or standing freely among the trees.

Woven from twigs and leaves, the larger-than-lifesize figures bear gruesome faces - with staring eyes and fierce teeth.

One carries a miniature broomstick and another - standing with arms outstretched against the horizon - is clutching a sturdy stick.

Two have appeared in the little village of Michelmersh, north of Romsey, and another has been spotted in Silver Street, in the New Forest, which runs between Lymington and Ashley.

But Isobel Bretherton, from the National Farmers' Union, says she's never come across the forest effigies before.

"It sounds like it might be a traditional pagan celebration of winter, similar to tree dressing, where people decorate trees in the first week of December," she said.

"If they have heads looking both ways it might be something to do with Janus, the Roman god for January, who looks at the passing year and the coming year.

"I've never heard of anything like this before but I'm sure our farmers will be looking out for these people in future."

At Hawthorns Wildlife Centre in Southampton Common, experts were equally baffled.

Jenna Dewhurst said she had not come across anything like this before, but suggested they might be the result of a school art project or wildlife sculpture.

"I suppose it might even be some very imaginative birds," she added.

Now the Daily Echo is trying to unravel the mystery behind the menacing monsters.

Do you know who's responsible for the marching forest army? Have you spotted any other creepy people in Hampshire woods? Call Claire Moriarty on 023 8042 4495 or e-mail claire.moriarty@soton-echo.co.uk.