A CAMERA operator sacked amid allegations that close-up pictures taken during a naked art installation had been sold in North-East pubs has won out-of-court compensation.

Civilian police worker John Elliott was operating the CCTV system in July 2005, when 1,700 volunteers stripped on the banks of the Tyne to take part in a photo-shoot for US artist Spencer Tunick.

Security guards had been employed to keep prying eyes away from the scene, but Mr Elliott, of Longbenton, Newcastle, was one of two CCTV officers suspended in March last year, when it was alleged that close-up images of some of the participants had been offered for sale in pubs on Tyneside.

The married 58-year-old was sacked seven months later, following a police investigation into the claims. His colleague was given a warning.

Mr Elliott, who had worked as a camera operator for 13 years, won an appeal against the decision and was given his job back - only to be told he was still fired two months later.

He took the force to an employment tribunal, backed by the trade union Unison, to claim unfair dismissal but, after lengthy negotiations behind closed doors, a settlement was reached, which will see Mr Elliott receive an undisclosed amount of compensation.

Both sides agreed to a confidentiality clause as part of the deal.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a settlement has been reached, but it would be inappropriate to comment further."

Police say no criminal charges were brought in connection with the alleged sale of pictures. However, the uncertainty has revived fears among the participants that intimate photographs taken on the day might be in circulation.

Participant Joseph Currey, 37, of Choppington, Northumberland, said: "The thought that images could have been sold - and now we don't know whether they were or weren't - spoils my appreciation of the day, because I did it for art."

Keeley Henderson, 27, of Heaton, Newcastle, said: "We agreed to take part in the exhibition because we thought it was a unique opportunity to take part in a live art installation. So the very thought that close-up pictures could have been sold in pubs is horrifying."