A HUMBLE wooden pallet which was jokingly nominated for one of Europe's most prestigious arts prizes has now been removed from public display.

The nomination came after council contractors sealed the pallet - which had temporarily jammed into a fence to plug a hole - into the earth while creating a footpath at the village of Healey, near Masham, North Yorkshire.

The Northern Echo reported earlier this week how retired dentist Ian Whittaker promptly put up a notice which read: "Turner Prize 2002 - Healey village entry. Blue pallet embedded in tarmac, created by county contractors, funded by ratepayers."

The contractors have since been ordered back by North Yorkshire County Council to correct the error - removing both pallet and the laminated notice.

Mr Whittaker, who has lived in the village for six years, said: "I am delighted that some action has been taken, but it does not make the footpath any more necessary and it is a poor job anyway."

Mr Whittaker claims the money spent on the footpath could have been better used to improve local roads.

"When the contractors came they just pulled the pallet out of the ground, leaving a hole which I have coned off myself to prevent anyone from walking into it," he said.