Despicable: Banksy's Artwork Hidden For Material Gain

A landlord has taken off an entire wall featuring Banksy artwork and hidden it away after it added £200,000 to the empty shop's value.

Also ReadShredded Banksy 'Love is in the Bin' Expected to Sell for Millions

The brick and plaster section was carefully cut out of the wall of the old electrical store by removal experts at the weekend.

The building had been on the market for £300,000 but saw its value leap by £200,000 after the work - which showed a child with a crowbar - in August.

Now the property's owner has decided to remove the artwork from the building in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Pictures show a yellow telehandler tearing out part of the wall featuring the graffiti, which was protected with a screen and wooden boards.

Workmen then loaded the wall slab onto a truck, which took it to an undisclosed location.

It remains unclear whether the artwork will be sold at auction, though previous Banksy pieces have reeled in millions under the hammer.

Furious locals have blasted the proprietor for removing the artwork, which was one of 10 pieces made in Banksy's 'Great British Spraycation' project on the east coast.

Local resident Brandon Eames described the removal as 'stupidity' and 'disrespectful'.

He said: 'Now [probably] being shipped off to sell at public auction.. This is terrible. Why spend the money to protect it then just take it away...'

Matthew Cook said: 'Greed, lack of understanding, lack of respect. Remove a painted artwork all because who did it... its a joke tbh and should have been allowed. Sets a bad precedent.'

Lynda Palmer wrote online: 'So so sad x perhaps he will come back and do another one ****. But somewhere it won't be taken away from.'

Taxi driver Rob Hook told the BBC: 'Yesterday they put a lintel in and cut the wall above it - now they've [strengthened] both sides with wood and framing,' he said.

'Now they're busy cutting the wall around it... the whole section of wall with the mural on it.'

The building, which previously hosted Lowestoft Electrical, saw its market value jump from £300,000 to £500,000 after the Banksy artwork appeared.

East Suffolk Council said: 'We have spoken with the landlord of this property who has confirmed the artwork is being removed.'

This article has been adapted from its original source.