Hackney to whitewash Banksy's murals

Hackney council has declared war on the artist even though the area has become a favourite location for the Bristol-born artist whose stencils can sell for hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Art tourists regularly visit the east London borough armed with maps showing the locations of his work.

But a council spokesman said: "We can't make a decision on whether something is art or graffiti. The Government judges us on the number of clean walls we have."

A year ago, two officially sanctioned Banksy stencils were meant to be unveiled at the opening of a new square in the borough but over-eager council staff washed them away two days before the opening ceremony.

The council apologised and it was believed Hackney had drawn up a list of graffiti sites for staff so they knew to leave them alone.

But councillor Alan Laing said: "It is a myth that Hackney has a list of protected street art. Some might see graffiti as street art but to most people it is just vandalism."

Banksy's Space Girl And Bird sold at Bonhams for £288,000 in April - his most expensive single piece.