Cardigan Castle’s missing chess piece has returned – and it looks like it had some festive fun.

The missing king, which disappeared just before Christmas, turned up back on the board in Castle Green on New Year’s Eve – complete with woolly hat, beard and tinsel necklace.

And to add to the castle craziness, the white knight was decked out in a pair of inflatable antlers.

Puzzled castle staff have been left scratching their heads over the mystery disappearance.

“It was obviously some festive foolery, but we are very glad to have the missing piece back,” said castle facilities officer, Sue Lewis.

“Castle visitors love playing the giant chess set and in the king’s absence he was replaced by a log.”