Reward for stolen expletive art

Bill Drummond (right) asked people to write in his book

A piece of "religious" art bearing a swear word has been stolen from a church in Liverpool.

A £1,000 reward has been offered for the return of the art by Bill Drummond, former chart-topping musician from groups The KLF and The Timelords.

A replacement of Drummond's work, which invites peoples' opinions on what they think of God, has now been put on display in its place at St Peter's Church in Seel Street, Liverpool city centre.

The work - part of the Biennial Independent's "New Religious Art" show - sparked condemnation from church groups when it was first put on display.

Hundreds of people signed the book and their contributions deserve to be back on display

Mike Hurst, Biennial Independent

The expletive refers to God directly, and a number of organisations described it as "provocative and offensive".

It is one part of a 30 feet high installation at the church, which has been decorated by a team of artists, including Turner Prize nominee Tracey Emin.

Curators said they think either Drummond's work - a book with space for people to write in their opinions - was stolen by an offended visitor or by a collector of the artist's work.

Exhibition spokesman Mike Hurst said: "We wanted to offer a reward because Bill's work is a really important part of the religious art show.

Police investigating

"Hundreds of people had already signed the book and their contributions deserve to be back on display.

"We hope that whoever has stolen the book...has the good sense to realise this and decides to return it."

Merseyside Police confirmed they are investigating the theft, which happened on 25 September.

The Biennial Independent is the fringe element of Liverpool's Biennial Festival and features work by more than 200 artists.