HIGHWAYS bosses in Taunton have been accused of getting in a sulk over the bulk of the Incredible Hulk.

Ben Arnold, owner of PartyOn, in High Street, said he was told to get rid of the 2m statue outside his shop following a complaint that it was ‘too sexual’.

Somerset County Council, which is responsible for highways, said the decision was taken for health and safety reasons.

Mr Arnold said: “It’s a spoil sport attitude. It was an attraction for Hallowe’en but it’s pointless trying anything. It’s just so petty in a town that’s had problems with shops closing.

“We had hundreds of kids wanting to be photographed with it.

“A friend in another shop said a customer had told them someone had called the council to complain that it was too sexual – but it’s a Marvel comic for kids!

“It had a security barrier in front of it and signs saying ‘do not touch’ and didn’t jut out any further than the building to next to us.

“It’s a time of year when there are festivities and High Street is looking especially barren.”

A council spokesman said: “We received a complaint from a member of the public regarding the Incredible Hulk feature.

“An inspection was carried out by a highways inspector who found that the feature was not attached, rocked backwards and forwards and was an obstruction.

“A decision was made to ask the shopkeeper to remove it from outside the shop. The feature has now been removed.”

In July last year, Mr Arnold was forced to cancel a fancy dress party in Vivary Park on the day of the event following objections to the way it had been marketing by police and council licensing officials - click on the Related Link, below, for more.

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