Poster mystery baffles motorists

The posters have appeared at roundabouts and roadsides

Mysterious black and white posters of a woman's face have been appearing on roundabouts and at road junctions in Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire.

The posters have been spotted by drivers in Bellshill, Motherwell, Hamilton, Coatbridge and Bishopbriggs.

They feature a photograph of a woman and have the headline "Astrid". It was thought they may belong to someone trying to contact a long lost friend.

Motorists said they were keen to find out who has been behind the campaign.

The posters also feature the words "Stirling '94 - Osnabruck" with an appeal for a "policewoman friend" to get in touch.

A description of a woman, phone number and e-mail address have also been included.

Making contact

Many drivers, however, have been unable to read the message on the bottom of the posters because of their size and position on roundabouts and at busy junctions.

One Motherwell woman said: "I just thought it was a 'happy birthday' poster for someone - the kind of thing you sometimes see on roundabouts or near houses. But I've spotted it more than once and in different locations."

Another motorist said he had seen the poster at two roundabouts on his way to work.

He said: "I only caught a quick glance of them but thought they were very strange. It seems an odd way of trying to contact someone, but you never know, maybe it will work."

A spokesperson for Strathclyde Police said they were not aware of the posters, or of any fresh appeal to track a missing person in the area.

A similar message entitled "Astrid" has appeared in ScotsGay magazine, a monthly publication for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals.

If you know the story behind these posters - or you are responsible for them - the BBC Scotland news website is keen to hear from you. You can contact us at [e-mail].