Banksy has revealed he was "kind of glad" his most recent piece in Bristol was vandalised - because his initial sketch was "a lot better".
The anonymous street artist has posted his original sketches of the Barton Hill piece on his Instagram page to say he's pleased it got targeted by vandals.
The new artwork, showing a girl firing a catapult to create what appears to be a firework formed of rose leaves, appeared on the side of a property in Barton Hill last week.
Just two days later it was vandalised, sparking outrage among people in Bristol and leaving the homeowners "unable to look at it".
But it appears Banksy doesn't mind at all, as he posted a picture of his original sketch on Instagram - which is his only official social media profile - with the caption: "I'm kind of glad the piece in Barton Hill got vandalised.
"The initial sketch was a lot better..."
The piece has been covered up following the act of vandalism, which is perhaps not surprising given the fact it could be worth as much as £10million.
However, art dealer and Banksy expert John Brandler said it could be a "poisoned chalice", adding: "You’ve got all these people thinking that suddenly they have got loads of money, when actually, it’s probably only going to cost them.
"They have to protect it, if they don’t and it’s damaged, people will say they didn’t protect it.
“The council might well list it, which means they have a legal duty to protect it. Councils don’t like doing that, because it’s graffiti - it’s criminal, really - but if the council don’t list it, they could be accused of not protecting it.
“With a legal listing of the side of your house, it’s like suddenly owning a Georgian building, you have to protect it by law.
"So there’s that dilemma. There was a house five or so years ago that had a Banksy on it in Bristol, and the council listed it, and the people found they couldn’t sell it,” he added.
