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| New Banksy artwork in Bristol 'to be auctioned' | New Banksy artwork in Bristol 'to be auctioned' |
| (36 minutes later) | |
| A new Banksy artwork that was removed from a building within hours of being found could be sold at auction - by the youth club leader who took it. | |
| Dennis Stinchcombe said he hoped to raise £100,000 for the struggling Broad Plain Boys' Club in Bristol. | Dennis Stinchcombe said he hoped to raise £100,000 for the struggling Broad Plain Boys' Club in Bristol. |
| The "guerrilla" artist's work, showing a couple embracing while checking their mobile phones, was found on Tuesday - but removed with a crowbar soon after. | The "guerrilla" artist's work, showing a couple embracing while checking their mobile phones, was found on Tuesday - but removed with a crowbar soon after. |
| A smaller copy of the original has been pinned up in its place. | A smaller copy of the original has been pinned up in its place. |
| Mr Stinchcombe, 58, said the club was struggling financially and needed to raise £120,000 to keep going. | Mr Stinchcombe, 58, said the club was struggling financially and needed to raise £120,000 to keep going. |
| "Now we've ended up with a Banksy on our doorstep. It is a dream come true," he said. | "Now we've ended up with a Banksy on our doorstep. It is a dream come true," he said. |
| "If we hadn't taken it, someone would have ripped it from the wall or vandalised it." | "If we hadn't taken it, someone would have ripped it from the wall or vandalised it." |
| The BBC has asked a spokesman for Banksy for a comment from the artist, but has not yet received a reply. | The BBC has asked a spokesman for Banksy for a comment from the artist, but has not yet received a reply. |
| Mr Stinchcombe said the original work would be available for people to view inside the club, in return for a donation, until Thursday lunchtime. | Mr Stinchcombe said the original work would be available for people to view inside the club, in return for a donation, until Thursday lunchtime. |
| He said it would be taken to a secure location over the bank holiday weekend. He said he would then talk to Bonhams auction house about selling it. | |
| A spokesman for Bonhams said so far it had not been approached by anyone wanting to sell the artwork. | |
| He said if the auction house was approached its experts would first validate the item by checking with pestcontrol.com - a company that authenticates Banksy's work. | |
| "After this we would make a number of checks as to whether it was on any stolen artworks database and whether the seller is entitled to sell it as part of our due diligence process. | |
| "Until then we could not put any value on it," he added. | |
| The work is believed to have been painted on a wall belonging to Bristol City Council. However, a council spokesman said he was unsure who actually owned the wall. | |
| Mr Stinchcombe said if the local authority asked for it back he would refuse because "the council don't like graffiti". | |
| Two police officers visited the boys' club on Wednesday afternoon to view the artwork. | Two police officers visited the boys' club on Wednesday afternoon to view the artwork. |
| A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We have not had any reports of a criminal offence. | A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We have not had any reports of a criminal offence. |
| "There is not a police investigation at this stage." | "There is not a police investigation at this stage." |
| Alison Bevan, of the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol, described the piece as "brilliant". | Alison Bevan, of the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol, described the piece as "brilliant". |
| "It is great to have Banksy back here," she said. | "It is great to have Banksy back here," she said. |
| "I think that the fact it was screwed on to a wall makes it extremely portable and would have increased the likelihood of someone taking it. | "I think that the fact it was screwed on to a wall makes it extremely portable and would have increased the likelihood of someone taking it. |
| "From my point of view, the fact it has come to an organisation like this, that is supporting the local community, is better than it going straight to some wealthy collector." | "From my point of view, the fact it has come to an organisation like this, that is supporting the local community, is better than it going straight to some wealthy collector." |
| Another visitor to the site, Paul Messenger, from Bristol, said: "I don't mind at all [that it was removed], I think it was a sensible thing to do. | |
| "It can make money for a good cause. I would suggest it was the right thing to do." | "It can make money for a good cause. I would suggest it was the right thing to do." |
| Youth worker Jordan Powell, from Warmley, Bristol, stayed in the club overnight to help protect the original. | Youth worker Jordan Powell, from Warmley, Bristol, stayed in the club overnight to help protect the original. |
| "Everyone can still see it here and it is safe," he said. | "Everyone can still see it here and it is safe," he said. |
| "Everyone has their own opinions, some are probably jealous, but it is going to a great cause. It is going to help the youngsters in Banksy's home town." | "Everyone has their own opinions, some are probably jealous, but it is going to a great cause. It is going to help the youngsters in Banksy's home town." |