WOOD carvers have been left disappointed after a hospital refused to display their masterpiece – because it failed to meet stringent infection controls.

The John Radcliffe Hospital declined an offer to put up intricate panels that were etched into lime wood almost a decade ago, and gifted to Oxfordshire County Council as part of a competition.

The council left the three "exquisite" carvings in storage for years after they were donated in 2007, before asking the Headington hospital this year if it would display them.

Brian Eastoe, one of 11 carvers who crafted the pieces, said he felt angry after the request fell flat.

The 82-year-old said: "The hospital gave us no explanation whatsoever. It made me very angry and disappointed.

"They took a whole year to carve. The wood was donated to us for nothing, all as a gift to the people of Oxfordshire. We are proud of what we have done.

"It's getting on for 10 years later and there is no recognition. I think we at least deserve an explanation; it's courtesy. After all that hard work, we have been dismissed."

Drayton resident Mr Eastoe and others at the Ox and Bucks branch of the British Woodcarvers Association created the panels as part of an Oxford Inspires competition, which challenged artists to make something for the council celebrating the county's 1,000th anniversary.

The mahogany-framed works, which depict Oxfordshire landmarks including Oxford's dreaming spires and Blenheim Palace, have toured around the county over the years but never been given a permanent home.

Oxford University Hospitals arts adviser Ruth Charity said they were "regrettably" unsuitable for display, adding: "We had to decline them as they did not meet the stringent infection control standards that all artworks displayed at our hospitals must meet."

In June the county council reassured the Oxford Mail that the carvings would be put up, and has since offered to display them in the Common Hall at County Hall – a cafe only open to the public if visiting on council business.

Mr Eastoe said: "We were very disturbed that they made no effort to get them elsewhere. I said we were not satisfied with the cafeteria, where the work would be seen mainly by staff rather than thousands of people. "These were carved as a gift to the people of Oxfordshire."

He said the group had visitors books filled with praise about the carvings, including that from retired St Paul's Cathedral master carver Anthony Webb.

His comment said: "Exquisite design and craft skills...Fantastic work."

Oxfordshire County Council spokeswoman Emily Reed said: "We have offered to give the carvings a permanent static home in Common Hall.

"If Mr Eastoe would prefer for them not to be displayed at County Hall, or move them from place to place, we would be happy for him to do that."