Spray-paint yobs have vandalised a mural by Banksy by adding a huge penis to the street artist's handiwork at a seaside town.

The piece, called Art Buff, depicts an older woman staring at an empty plinth while wearing headphones with her hands clasped behind her back.

It appeared just two weeks ago, but on Sunday the penis was added to the plinth of the artwork in Payers Park in Folkestone, Kent.

The damage is not expected to be permanent as clear plastic sheeting was placed over the mural not long after it appeared to protect it.

The vandalism sparked outrage on social media, with a flood of comments condemning the graffiti.



Visitors flocked to admire the stencil-style guerrilla art when it arrived last month and Shepway District Council said it would work with the owner of the building to ensure it remained undamaged.

The Banksy website also showed pictures of the wall before and after the artwork appeared and claimed the image is "Part Of The Folkestone Triennial. Kind Of".

Jim Bennett

sempak