Reclusive graffiti artist Banksy has apparently been unmasked as an ex-public schoolboy.

The artist is a 34-year-old former pupil at Bristol Cathedral School called Robin Gunningham, according to reports.

Banksy's distinctive spray-can art is found in London, Bristol and several other cities, and his works have sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds at auction. But despite his popularity he has zealously guarded his anonymity, fuelling rumours and speculation about his true identity.

The Mail on Sunday tracked down a former neighbour of Mr Gunningham in Bristol who identified him in a photograph of a man believed to be Banksy. Anthony Hallett told the paper: "I don't know for sure but I think Robin was working as a graffiti artist. He worked for other people and would disappear for months on end. He was quite nomadic."

Scott Nurse, who was in Mr Gunningham's class at school, added: "He was one of three people in my year who were extremely talented at art. He did lots of illustrations. I am not at all surprised if he is Banksy."

But Mr Gunningham's parents Peter and Pamela did not recognise the man in the photograph, the Mail on Sunday reported. Banksy's publicist could not be contacted for comment today but refused to confirm his identity to the paper.

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