A COVERT river operation took place today in protest against the proposed Coppergate Riverside development.

An early morning launch carried three masked men down the River Foss in York, where city artist Dexter daubed the message The Times They Are A-Changin' - the title of the sixties protest song by Bob Dylan - on the side of the Banana Warehouse.

The statement reflects opposition to the controversial Coppergate Riverside project, which aims to develop part of the car park beside Clifford's Tower.

The £60 million project would introduce a shopping centre in Piccadilly and in the car park.

It has received massive opposition and is at the centre of an ongoing public inquiry.

As part of that, the Banana Warehouse, and other Piccadilly buildings, would be pulled down.

The artist spent about an hour painting.

The statement was organised by Return Of The Artist, a York group with about 40 members.

Group spokesman Andy Hinkles, known as Milladdio, said: "It's a protest against the potentially unsuitable Coppergate development."

But one passer-by said: "Am I missing something? That means nothing to me."

The group had permission from Banana Warehouse's owner Dave Dee, who has been outspoken against Coppergate Riverside. A City of York Council spokesman said no planning permission would have been needed for the painting.

The artist used a mix of flour and water as paint, and it will be washed away by rain.

Updated: 11:52 Monday, April 22, 2002