A ROADSIDE landmark will go under the hammer today after entertaining passing motorists for almost a decade.

A rusting slurry tanker was painted with the slogan Government Think Tank by farmer Roy Smith in 2001.

Mr Smith, 75, said he painted the slogan after becoming exasperated at the old Ministry of Agriculture’s handling of a series of crises leading up to the foot-and-mouth outbreak that year.

He later added Bank of England Think Tank on the other side.

Since then, the tanker has amused thousands of drivers on the B163 between Stillington and Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

The farmer is now selling up after 40 years in the business and the tanker will be among the lots at a farm sale taking place today.

He said next month’s General Election meant the sale was excellent timing.

“There’s been quite a bit of interest (from the media),” he added. “I’m leaving the slogans on the tanker because I guess there’s a good chance of finding a bidder who still feels the same.”

Mr Smith and his wife, Audrey, are handing the 73-acre farm back to their landlords and moving to Easingwold. They plan to buy a caravan.

“We’ve never had a holiday, so it’s about time,” he added.

The sale will be held at Blades Farm, Stillington Road, Easingwold, YO61 3ES, from 5pm today. It is being handled by land agents George F White.