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British artist Simon Faithfull jumping from the sinking boat.

Sunk without a trace...

Taxpayers have forked out tens of thousands of pounds to pay for the sinking of a concrete fishing boat in the name of art.

British artist Simon Faithfull bought a boat on eBay with public funds then scuttled it in a dramatic display off the coast of Weymouth, Dorset.

It is hoped the boat, which now lies around 80ft below the surface, will form an artificial reef to support marine life in Ringstead Bay, Weymouth.

But there was outrage today after it emerged the project was part-funded by the British taxpayer through grants from the Arts Council.

Almost half of the 120,000 pounds project cost was met by Arts Council money with the rest coming through European arts grants.