AN exhibit from a controversial show featuring flayed human corpses rolled into the North-East for a flying visit yesterday - and did not seem to attract so much as a whisper of dissent.

Crowds flocked in fascination for a glimpse of the Body World exhibition, in which a technique called plastination is used to preserve bodies and organs.

The one-day roadshow, on the campus of Newcastle University, included a full anatomical display of a body and its internal organs, as well as various diseased and healthy parts.

Passer-by Mark O'Kane said: "It's amazing - turning human flesh into art. There is a long history and tradition of it."

Fellow enthusiast John Smith said: "People seem to have a problem with death, and yet they go to hospital where it is happening all the time."

A former slaughterman, who did not want to be named, was less prosaic: "Hmm. Interesting. We are just like animals inside," he said.

Mother Jaqueline Davison said: "I would have brought my children to see it if I had had the chance. It's very educational, because it's not in a book and is the real thing.

"They would have been able to see a diseased liver and lungs, which would help them understand what goes on in the body if they do not look after it."

Others, who had not heard or read of the controversial exhibition, were aghast to discover they were seeing were the remains of real people.

Paul Scharma, his jaw dropping in disbelief, said: "It is incredible."

The exhibition had an added interest for pensioner Ian Young, who has had three hip replacements and is awaiting a knee replacement.

He said: "I have been able to see real examples of diseased joints, as well as the replacements used, which I have never seen before.

"It gives me more comfort about my coming operation."

Plastination inventor, Professor Gunther von Hagens, who is staging the main exhibition - featuring 200 anatomical specimens, and 25 whole bodies - in London, was in his element holding court to onlookers.

His pet subject is the "democratisation of anatomy".

Brushing aside all the fuss, he said: "My aim is to educate the general public about the human body, disease and death and to encourage people to look after their health."