A set of "completely creepy" ghoulish faces embedded in the concrete of a little-used footbridge in Brunswick West has locals mystified and horrified.

About 25 life-size faces, seemingly made out of concrete and each one lacking a nose, have been installed along a footbridge that runs over CityLink between Peacock Street and McColl Court.

Their terrifying visages are drawing thrill-seeking tourists to the footbridge, particularly at night when the moonlight turns them into horrifying shadows.

There is no plaque to explain the faces' provenance, and the local council was unaware of their existence until alerted by Fairfax Media.