NUDE pictures have been stripped from the Wyvern Theatre's walls because they might offend families attending the pantomime.

Artist Sarah Hope's life drawings were deemed to be too risque for Swindon's flagship entertainment venue.

The pieces were part of an exhibition entitled Y Mabinogion, a series of charcoal sketches based on the book of Welsh folklore translated into English. The exhibition, under the umbrella of Swindon Council's Artscape, was put up on November 28 and included a number of nudes along with mystic figures, animals and scenes from these Celtic tales.

But the theatre is now bare of life drawings. Sarah said: "They said they took them down because they are not suitable for the panto season. Personally I don't see the problem.''

Now Sarah has only six drawings on display in the lower foyer of the theatre.

Wyvern Theatre general manager Ted Doan said that in the past there had been complaints from parents about the paintings on display.

"We have an agreement with Visual Arts at the council that we don't display anything that will offend people,'' he said. "We love the exhibition. It's fantastic. But we have children coming all the way through panto season and we don't want to cause offence.''

Eluned Myhre, arts officer for Swindon Council, said that although she personally liked the exhibition and was eager to promote art exhibitions around the town she had to respect the theatre's wishes. She said: "The drawings are beautiful but I am happy to go with the Wyvern's decision. It is a working theatre and it is panto season.''

Artists belonging to the Artsite Studios in Swindon have stepped in to fill the space left by the life drawings. Five artists have contributed two pieces each including tiles, paintings, maps cast on to a female torso and prints.

Sarah Hope's Y Mabinogion runs until January 6, during theatre opening hours, and entry is free.