Cones have been left with notes saying sorry tied to them

A shortage of the orange markers prompted Eastbourne Borough Council to plead for their return with no questions asked.

The authority said the cones were desperately needed in time for the summer's airshow, Airbourne, held in August.

Overall 104 cones have been returned, one of which was dropped of by a man who picked it up at the Airbourne event five years ago.

A trolley load of the traffic markers was left outside the tourism offices and cones have been found with ribbons and notes saying sorry tied to them.

People don't have to sneak the cones back under the cover of darkness Ron Cussons, Eastbourne Borough Council director of tourism and leisure

Director of tourism and leisure at the council, Ron Cussons said: "Staff will leave the car park in the evening and by first thing a pile of cones will have appeared which is great.

"People don't have to sneak the cones back under the cover of darkness. That is why we are holding the amnesty.

"We are not going to take any action we just want people to bring them back to help our Airbourne go ahead as planned."

Children's toy cones have also been handed in during the amnesty.

Mr Cussons said: "We definitely don't want to deprive little children of their toys and urge parents of any children whose toy cones may have been dropped off to contact the events office to help reunite the youngsters with their toys."

A council spokesman said the full size cones were needed to manage traffic flows through the town and ensure access for emergency vehicles.