Thanks but no thanks - that is the reply from Canterbury Cathedral to a mysterious art gift hailed as the answer to its money worries.

The Dean and Chapter have declined the offer of the “massive” marble triptych of Christ which some sources claim is worth £70million.

Two representatives viewed the piece - called The Man Delusion - on display at King’s College, Cambridge earlier this month.

But leading art figures claimed not to know its reclusive creator, Kongthin Pearlmich.

Cathedral spokesman Christopher Robinson said it had “respectfully declined” the offer from the artist and his representative.

One condition of the offer said the piece - which is 15ft high and 20ft wide - must be displayed in the Cathedral for a year before any sale.

Mr Robinson added: “Apart from the fact it was massive, there were a number of conditions attached to the offer.

“It would have had to be displayed for one year and then the artist had the right to take it back.

“Also, only one third of any sale would have gone to the Cathedral and the rest to two charities."

The work contains pearls, representing purity; diamonds, representing man’s obsession with material wealth; and rubies, representing the blood of Christ.

In a statement the Cathedral said: “The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury today declined the offer of a large modern triptych, titled The Man Delusion, which had recently been made by representatives of the reclusive artist Kongthin Pearlmich.

“We are very grateful that we were considered as a possible location for this work of art but we do not have the appropriate space to exhibit a work of this size for a full year”.

The £50million Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal has so far raised £7.5million.