News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

It's huge, it's bright green and Parisians are complaining it's the rudest looking thing in their city.

The 75ft high inflatable artwork in the stately Place Vendome has been labelled a giant bottom stopper by one enraged onlooker.

Others say it looks like a sex toy.

Another local was so offended he punched its creator, 69-year-old American artist Paul McCarthy, three times in the face, screaming that he is not French and his work has no place there.

A tweet posted by French Spring screamed: "A butt plug ...Place Vendôme # disfigured! Paris humiliated! "

Mr McCarthy, who wasn't injured in the attack, said: "It all started with a joke: Originally, I thought that anal plug had a shape similar to the sculptures of Brancusi.

"Afterwards, I realized that it looked like a Christmas tree.

"But it is an abstract work.

"The people may be offended if they want to refer to the plug, but for me, this is more of an abstraction. "

The giant work, entitled tree, has been created for the International Contemporary Art Fair, which takes place in Paris from October 23 to 26.

Perhaps it will leave rival artists green with envy.