PEOPLE were left scratching their heads after about 120 little red men disappeared from a Chineham roundabout.

Rather than an unscrupulous kidnapping, the disappearance of the metallic men – part of an art installation on the Crockford Lane roundabout since 1999 – was a lot less suspicious.

Chineham Park estate assistant Wendy Fletcher said: “We just thought it was time they had a respray.

“They’re a bit weather beaten and will be brought back to life within one or two weeks.”