BAFFLED York citizens and art lovers may be scratching their heads over the whereabouts of a Henry Moore sculpture which once stood in the grounds of the Minster.
An empty plinth is all that's left of 'Upright Motors No9', which has adorned the site - near the newer bronze of Roman Emporer Constantine - since 1982, just three years after being created by the Castleford-born legend.
But fears about it being stolen can be allayed by the Evening Press. The sculpture is being prepared to travel East, for a touring exhibition of China.
The work was on long-term loan to the Minster, but has become part of York's furniture, having been in place for nearly two decades.
The China exhibition is being organised by the Henry Moore Foundation and the tour starts in Beijing this October, finishing in 2001.
Brigadier Peter Lyddon, spokesman for the Minster, said: "Indications from the Foundation are that the sculpture will be coming back to York.
"But if someone has a bright idea half way round the Great Wall of China then things might change."
There are no plans for the empty plinth outside the Minster prior to Upright Motors No9's return.
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