VISITORS were invited to the former White Swan Hotel today for a "squatter art" exhibition.

Peace protesters who have taken over the premises in Piccadilly, York, invited the people of the city inside for tea or coffee and a guided tour. Visitors were able to discuss the war with Iraq, and ideas for turning the hotel into a temporary community arts centre for York.

A first-floor bedroom has been turned into an impromptu art gallery, with oil and pastel paintings by local artist, Ben, who is known as Horius.

The London-based owners of the hotel have begun legal proceedings to evict the squatters, claiming the building is "decrepit and uninhabitable".

Updated: 10:36 Saturday, April 26, 2003