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The much-loved 'man on the moor' became the man on the motorway as he was spotted hurtling along the A19 on the back of a lorry.

Sean Henry's giant North York Moors sculpture has left his peaceful vantage point overlooking Westerdale after a couple of years - and fans are "gutted".

But those who haven't managed to catch a glimpse yet shouldn't despair; he is being relocated to Wakefield's Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where he will be on public view.

The three-metre sculpture has drawn visitors from far and wide since he arrived on the moors , drawing comparisons to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and even actor Jonathan Pryce.

But it's his popularity that has led to an early departure.

Chris France, director of planning at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: "Planning permission wasn't ready to expire until 2023 but the owner has moved him prematurely.

"He was leading to masses of cars parking on the verge, damage and erosion to the moor and litter.

"I understand the owner was getting complaints from neighbouring landowners.

"We tried to find some other sites but none were acceptable.

"Ending up in a sculpture park is appropriate; the owner wanted him to be publicly available.

"But it's fair to say we'll miss him here - he became synonymous with the moor and encouraged a lot of visitors, particularly young people to visit and appreciate the park."

(Image: Robert Brophy)

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Sculpture Park said: "He was covered in a protective film, but we often see sculptures turn up on the back of a lorry.

"He will go on display but he won't be visible to the public straightaway."

Fans who posted on social media about their disappointment said the moors were a "fitting place" for the sculpture and it had been on their "to do" list.

"Was planning on going up in summer," one said, "gutted."

Another added: "Obviously some local people with nothing better to do have winged about traffic and pollution."

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

One said: "When to see him a few times. Didn’t realise he wasn’t going to stay there. It’s a shame as it was very popular."

"I hadn't realised that it wasn't his permanent home," another poster added, "otherwise we would have prioritised sooner. Oh well."

"What a shame. I love that he is gazing out over the moors."

Others thought the move was a good one.

"My elderly mother might be able to get to see him once he has been moved," one poster said, "she couldn't get up to see him where he is at the moment."

Good news. It caused far too much erosion and dangerous parking not to mention all the litter and dog poo bags.

And one poster simply said: "I'll miss the old lad.."

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