Cover up ordered over nude gnome

Mr Lindley agreed to cover up the gnomes

The owners of a furniture shop have been ordered to cover up a festive display featuring two naked garden gnomes after a motorist complained.

A van containing the duo, with a model cow on the roof, had been placed in a lay-by off the A37, Dorchester, Dorset.

The 3ft tall pair were put there by local company Manor Wood Furniture, which sells the resin gnomes.

Police were called out to speak with the firm after a woman driver said her children had been offended.

As a result the gnomes were covered up in a Christmas outfit.

The A37 is a fast road, people were going past the van really flat out and didn't notice anything but as the road conditions became icy people slowed down and noticed the details David Lindley Shop owner

Two policemen visited shop owner David Lindley and told him the display was unacceptable.

Mr Lindley, 42, said: "We have had to cover up the lady gnome. We've put her in a Mummy Christmas outfit to cover her modesty.

"The male gnome has been in the van for about a month but then he got lonely so I put his girlfriend in there.

"The A37 is a fast road, people were going past the van really flat out and didn't notice anything but as the road conditions became icy people slowed down and noticed the details."

A Dorset Police spokesman said the force had acted after receiving a complaint from a mother who said that her children had been upset.

"Using their discretion a police officer spoke to the owner who agreed a suitable course of action in dressing the gnomes more appropriately on the grounds of decency."