Two women were snapped cleaning off black spray paint that was used to cover over a piece of street art in the style of Banksy.
The pictures were captured on Friday afternoon (October 16) at the spot where a painting resembling the work of the anonymous street artist appeared the day before.
The artwork of a girl hula-hooping a bicycle tyre appeared just off Ilkeston Road and was initially suspected to have been painted by Banksy.
Despite crowds of excited onlookers coming to take a peek, experts have since cast "strong doubts".
Nottingham City Council decided to place a protective Perspex sheet over the wall art but soon after, a white graffiti tag was sprayed across the plastic.
While this was cleaned off, the Perspex was targeted again, this time by a covering of black spray paint over most of the wall.
The additional vandalism has been described as "a valid contribution" to the street art by one art curator.
But others have once again taken matters into their own hands, and scrubbed the protective screen to reveal the hula-hooping girl again.
Karen Kabweru-Namulemu, a family law specialist and baker, was passing by the area while on a walk.
She tweeted the pictures of the two women, seen wiping away the black paint with the caption: "Walking for a coffee & fresh air.
"Why?? Whether it is or isn’t, it’s a lovely artistic (piece) in the community.
"Round of applause to these ladies cleaning off the spray paint. Bought some vinegar to help."
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live she added: "It was covered. They have been cleaning for two-and-a-half hours
"I just think it is so sad. Why do that? Unless you hate Banksy - but why ruin it for the rest of the community?"
Nottinghamshire Police has also been contacted to see if any reports of vandalism had been logged, but they had not.
The artwork will be protected by the Perspex cover until it is verified.
