BEMUSED residents of Holt watched with eager anticipation as their £10,000 new bus shelter took shape opposite the village superstore.

They were then surprised as the wood structure - known locally as “the gallows” - was swiftly demolished.

The shelter on the main road through Holt and close to the National Trust’s Court Gardens was dismantled because it was too high.

One resident said: “It was huge and was affectionately known to the village as ‘the gallows’.

“It caused a lot of hilarity because it was so huge. You could almost get a bus underneath it because it was so big.”

Parish councillor Steve Siddall said: "The four metal legs were supposed to be underground and a concrete plinth provided on top but there was a construction error and it turned out to be too high. They are just going to have to do it again.

"It's designed to have a roof, and glass sides and back, with a stone bench that runs along the back.

"We originally started with a more ambitious design but it was whittled away by Wiltshire Council's highways team."

The shelter is being built as part of a Section 106 agreement to improve the junction of the B3107 with The Midlands.

It is being installed by sub-contractors working for Stonewood Partnerships, which is building 43 new homes at The Tannery and converting the old factory into flexible workspaces for up to 100 tenants.

A Stonewood Partnerships spokesman said: “As part of the Section 106 agreement within the planning permission for refurbishment and development of The Tannery, Stonewood agreed to provide a new bus shelter for the village.

“Stonewood liaised closely with Holt Parish Council on the design for the shelter to meet with the wishes of the people of the village.

“It is important to us that the shelter meets the village’s requirements and is in keeping with its surroundings.

“Acting on the design agreed with the parish council, Stonewood sourced and instructed a third-party manufacturer to build the shelter.

“Unfortunately, when the shelter was delivered ready for installation it was found that the metal feet were too tall and the structure was returned to the manufacturer to be remade to the correct dimensions.

“The manufacturer has been affected by a shortage in materials that has hit many branches of industry and we are awaiting a completion date for the shelter so that we can reinstall it as quickly as possible.

“We are in regular contact with the manufacturer and will update the village on progress via the parish council and our social media channels.

“It is important to note that the design of the shelter has been developed with the parish council and the full cost of its design, manufacture and installation is all being met by Stonewood.

“We are looking forward to seeing the shelter in place as soon as possible.”

It is understood that Stonewood Partnerships has spent a further £10,000 on the structure, making its total cost £20,000.

The bus shelter is being relocated to the junction from outside the Grade 2 listed former Three Lions public house just up the road.