Creating art to shock is becoming more difficult but two artists have caused a few jaws to drop by exhibiting a dead whippet.

The mummified dog is part of a show at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester by Ben Langlands and Nikki Bell, who refer to themselves as Langlands and Bell.

The dried-up specimen lies on a four-poster bed which forms part of the gallery's collection.

The London-based artists bought the eerie item in 1980 from an elderly couple in Brick Lane market in London's East End.

It was wrapped in dirty plastic with a note in its mouth reading 'Please do not feed'. The artists only fully realised what they had bought when they got it home.

They hung it on the wall of their home where it has stayed ever since. Its outing to Chichester is its first in 22 years.

Andrew Churchill, the gallery's marketing and commercial manager, said: "I think people will be surprised about the dead whippet. One of the friends of the gallery was very saddened by it.

"We are a nation of dog lovers and I think people will feel strongly about it. But it shows people it's important to look after things and this dog has a tale to tell.

"Whippets were owned and raced by East End families but once they had outlived their usefulness they weren't cared for and often died from neglect.

"It's likely this one starved to death in a basement where it was perfectly preserved in the dry, airless atmosphere.

"What is also strange is the old couple selling it. The dog could have been thrown in a bin bag and forgotten about but now it has a bit of dignity to it and its story is being kept alive.

"The artists decided to put it on the bed here because when they came to look at the gallery there was a notice on the bed saying 'Please don't touch' and it reminded them of the note in the dog's mouth."

The dead dog forms part of an exhibition called Strange Partners, which includes chalk stones by sculptor Andy Goldsworthy both at the gallery and dotted over the South Downs.

Langlands and Bell, who like to be referred to as a single unit, said: "This is the first time the whippet's been anywhere in 22 years. I think it's fitting to put it on this bed. It's a nice resting place.

"Objects give signs about the person who owns them. Even if the person isn't there you can deduce a lot about them from the arrangement and context of a room."

The exhibition can be seen until September 29.