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Banksy-painted building in Lowestoft taken off the market

Andrew Turner/BBC Lowestoft street artAndrew Turner/BBC
The artwork in Lowestoft depicts a child near a dug-up pavement

The owner of a building adorned with a Banksy mural has removed it from sale, believing the painting could be worth more than the property.

The work, of a child with a crowbar next to a sandcastle and lifted paving slab, appeared in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

The old shop was listed for £300,000 but withdrawn from sale on Friday as the owner "considers his options".

It followed confirmation by the elusive artist that he was behind 10 pieces of street art in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Shaun Whitmore/BBC Banksy mural above a bus stop in Great Yarmouth.Shaun Whitmore/BBC
The secretive artist claimed responsibility for 10 pieces of work in Suffolk and Norfolk, including this in Great Yarmouth

Estate agent Danny Steel said the owner believed the picture was likely to be worth more than the property it was painted on, the former Lowestoft Electrical building in London Road North.

"He's looking at his options and seeing what he can and can't do," he said.

"I've no idea what the value of art is. There are Banksys that go for millions but I don't know if this one is in that kind of category."

Mr Steel said the owner had agreed to pay for a replacement copy of the artwork if the original was removed from the building and sold.

Estate agent Danny Steel.
Estate agent Danny Steel said the owner of the former Lowestoft Electrical building was considering his options

People have flocked to see Banksy's "Great British Spraycation" street art since it appeared 10 days ago in Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Cromer in Norfolk; and Lowestoft and Oulton Broad in Suffolk.

However, the artist - whose identity remains a secret - did not claim the work until Friday when a video appeared on his Instagram page.

Security has been increased around the sites since one on a wall at North Beach in Lowestoft was defaced with white paint.

East Suffolk Council said it was "appalled" but hoped the piece, featuring a rat reclining in a deckchair and sipping a cocktail, could be restored.

Suffolk Police said the damage happened on Saturday evening and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Faye Louise Stone Banksy mural vandalisedFaye Louise Stone
Suffolk Police appealed for witnesses after a mural at North Beach in Lowestoft was covered in white paint
Getty Images Banksy mural featuring rat drinking a cocktail in LowestoftGetty Images
East Suffolk Council said it was "hopeful" the piece could be restored

A piece of Banksy artwork in Nicolas Everitt Park, in Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, was covered with a screen on Monday to protect it.

Shaun Whitmore/BBC Perspex barrier put up over a Banksy piece in Oulton Broad.Shaun Whitmore/BBC
A screen was put up to protect Banksy's piece in Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad, Suffolk

North Norfolk District Council said it had arranged protective works to preserve the mural depicting hermit crabs on Cromer's East Promenade.

It said plywood had been temporarily erected until the work could take place.

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