A churchyard in the Somerset countryside played host to modern art sculptures reaching 7ft-tall, which locals unflatteringly said resembled sex toys. 

The exhibition, named Secret Sentinels, comprise three colourful tiled sculptures that currently sit outside the Bo Lee Gallery in Bruton, Somerset, which was formerly a Methodist chapel. 

The opening of the art installation, which runs until August, faced quizzical Bruton locals who questioned what artist Clare Burnett's inspiration was behind the 'striking' sculptures. 

Taking to social media, they likened the figures to adult toys, as one local asked: 'In the night garden meets next generation of sex toys?'

The questionable shapes encouraged others to reference the lingerie and adult toy retailer Ann Summers, writing 'Bruton's answer to Ann Summers' and 'delivery for the new Victoria Secret's shop opening in the High Street'.

Others whose families have a generational history in the small village, predicted the installation would have been received by disgruntled late relatives. 

One villager said: 'My Nan played the piano there on Sundays and was the Sunday school teacher. She would not be amused!'

Another wrote: 'We went to Sunday school back in the late 60s early 70s what ever will they think of next. Come on Bruton.' 

It is not the first time the sculptures have received second looks. The mosaiced trio formed part of London's annual Sculpture in the City exhibition in 2024, as they took centre stage on the Square Mile. 

The whereabouts of the sculptures, which were made in 2023, remain unknown between their stint in the capital's financial heartland and popping up in the Somerset village.

The Bo Lee gallery, founded by Jemma Hickman, has been based at the converted 19th-century church in Bruton since 2023.

Alongside a collection of photos of the sculptures, the gallery wrote on Instagram: 'Secret Sentinels by Clare Burnett is a striking family of outdoor sculptures made from found objects and discarded materials. 

'Inspired by the balance between privacy and convenience in the age of surveillance, these shimmering forms subtly echo the cameras that surround us - in city security systems, doorbells, phones and computers. 

'Each sculpture is made entirely by the artist, from welded internal structures and CAD calculations to attaching over 25,000 tiles by hand.'