Larkin's toad legacy kicks off funding rumpus

The "plague of toads" is part of a festival in Hull marking the 25th anniversary of death of the the poet Philip Larkin, the former Hull University librarian and author of two classic poems, Toads and Toads Revisited.

About 80 toads will form a trail around Hull when the Clipper fleet returns at the end of its epic 35,000-mile voyage in July.

Wild In Art, the company behind the successful Superlambanana exhibition in Liverpool two years ago that was credited with attracting an extra 1m visitors, is making the fibreglass shells for both an event in Hull, and another in Skipton, where a flock of outsize sheep will be let loose this August.

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has, however, criticised the Lib Dem-run Hull Council for their 200,000 contribution towards the 292,000 cost.

She said: "I've got no problem with many of the plans to celebrate Hull's connection with Philip Larkin, such as the statue of him at Paragon Station. But even if these model toads have any educational value or regeneration benefits, why should Hull's council tax-payers be asked for 200,000 towards it?"

Council leader Carl Minns said it was "utterly disgraceful" the MP wasn't backing an event "gaining international coverage and visitors", and accused her of trying to score cheap political points.