Banksy mural in Bristol vandalised with 'BCC W*****S' graffiti
15 February 2020, 12:39
A piece of street art in Bristol that was this week confirmed as by Banksy has been vandalised.
A picture shared on social media showed "BCC WANKERS" scrawled across the artwork, which shows a young girl firing a slingshot.
One resident who spotted the vandalism said: "It's a real shame, but it was always going to happen unfortunately."
The piece of street art shows a young girl firing a slingshot of flowers. Banksy confirmed yesterday that the artwork was one of his.
Residents in the Barton Hill area of the city awoke on Thursday to find the striking piece on the side of a building.
The artwork, in Marsh Lane, features a stencilled image of a girl firing a slingshot of red flowers and leaves.
Banksy confirmed the piece by posting two images of it on his official Instagram account and website in the early hours of Valentine's Day.
The artwork appeared on a rented home owned by Edwin Simons, who celebrated his 67th birthday on Thursday.
His daughter, Kelly Woodruff, 37, found out about it after being tagged in a Facebook post.
"We've been down here all day and it's just been a complete buzz of excitement," she told the PA news agency.
"There's so many people coming and enjoying it, taking pictures, it's fantastic.
"There's been a lot of debate if it is a Banksy or not. Most people I've spoken to think it 100% is, and they're naming it the Valentine's Banksy.
"It's incredible and beautiful."
The family are looking to cover up the artwork with glass to preserve it.
"My slight worry is, we've got this Storm Dennis coming on the weekend, so I really want to try and protect the roses," she added.
News of the Banksy first emerged on Twitter, with Bristol Somali Community Association writing: "Today in Barton Hill, we woke up with this remarkable mural art painted on one of the houses of the area.
"We hope it's Banksy's work. Come and have a look yourself. Whoever painted, it's worth admiring their creativity. Thank you."
One local resident, James Bullock, saw scaffolding on the wall at about 6.20am on Thursday.
He walked past it later with his girlfriend and was stunned to see the artwork had appeared.
