A SCULPTURE made from 100 Fray Bentos meat pies has been the surprise hit at an art show.

Beauty was in the pie of the beholder at Eldwick's memorial hall where local resident Rob Slator displayed his original work created from spare tins from his larder.

The provocative piece, called The Life of Pie, featured a carefully stacked installation of tinned pies.

In an explanation to visitors at the Eldwick Arts Show, Mr Slator wrote: "The pies are arranged in tiers to represent the different levels of access to food in society.

"The overlapping pies represent our need for mutual support.

"The pies that have fallen off remind us of those who slip out of social safety nets."

Claiming to be largely self taught Mr Slator cited his influences as Tracey Emin and Damien Hurst.

Lifting the lid on his success, Mr Slator confessed both to a serious side to his efforts and to his own two-pies-a-week habit, which is how the sculpture came into being.

"I was amazed at how many people appreciated Life of Pie and, to my chagrin, how other more serious works got less attention, which may have left their creators a bit miffed," said civil servant Mr Slator.

"I absolutely love Fray Bentos pies and eat two steak and kidney ones each week, usually with chips and spinach. So the sculpture represents a worth year's pies to me.

"And they are such good value and have such a long shelf life that I often buy extra ones.

"I always like to have a few pies safely stashed away for a rainy day, but I found I'd accumulated this huge pile and thought it would make a great exhibit at the art show."

Mr Slator said he was now going to donate the pies to Bingley Food Bank.

"The serious point is that if you give money to charity, somebody gets a piece of the pie, pardon the pun.

"But with donating food, there are no middle men.

"And Fray Bentos pies are brilliant because they are so easily transportable and have such a long shelf life."

Single Mr Slator, now dubbed "Food Banksy" by friends, said he has always enjoyed this particular make of pie.

"But I reheated my love affair about three years ago," he said.

"They are so delicious, but achieving the perfect pie does take quite a bit of care. It's not as easy as people think, but it's always worth it."

Art Show Organiser Tony Clegg said several people had earnestly studied Life of Pie before the full story was explained to them.

"It was a really successful show and Rob's sculpture got lots of attention," he said.