Maureen O'Neill and Dermot Burke at the decked-out bus stop in Ohiro Rd, Brooklyn.

A "public art installation" that has sprung up in a Wellington bus shelter will be dismantled in favour of wooden benches.

A Brooklyn bus shelter was mysteriously transformed into an impromptu lounge room at the weekend, complete with two tattered couches, a small library and a hot water bottle.

By early yesterday someone had added Christmas tinsel, a clock, a picture, an icecream container full of lemons and a life-sized plastic dog.

By 3pm the dog had disappeared - along with all but two of the lemons - but a small vase of rosemary and mint had been added.

Peter Jones, who lives across the road from the shelter, and his partner Juliette Lum have claimed responsibility for the clock and some fresh magazines but deny being the originators.

Ms Lum said she thought it would be fun to contribute to the growing scene. She had seen a father and son adding the Christmas tinsel as well.

"It has become a bit of a public art installation."

No-one has claimed responsibility for the original work.

Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean said the council was no closer to uncovering who was responsible. He said the scene would be removed before contractors arrived tomorrow to reinstall benches.

Contact Ben Heather

Social Issues reporter

Email: ben.heather@dompost.co.nz

Twitter: @BHeatherJourno