A NEW Banksy-style piece of grafitti which has appeared in Southampton is unlikely to be by the renowned artist.

The artwork has been created on the side of New Century Bingo in Shirley Road, Southampton.

It features an almost identical figure to one in Bevois Valley that the Daily Echo revealed to be the work of Banksy in November.

But an art industry insider doubts the painting is a Banksy original.

The man, who the Daily Echo is not naming, said: “It’s very unlike him to repeat his stencils and I haven’t heard that he’s been in Southampton at all. I can’t tell for sure but I’m pretty certain it’s not a Banksy. Once one Banksy appears in a city, you often get copycat graffiti.”

Paul Redwood, the manager of New Century Bingo, described the picture as vandalism.

He said: “Although it looks alright, they shouldn’t do it on our building.

I’m quite keen on these people having freedom of expression but there should be set places to do it, not on the side of my building.”

However Nicky Lovell, owner of the shop Sleep Tight, which is opposite the picture, said: “Normally I don’t like graffiti but I think it’s quite cute.

I don’t have anything against it when it’s nice like that and if it brings people in to look at it then that’s good for us.”

Experts estimated that the Bevois Valley painting by Bristol-born Banksy, whose identity remains secret, was worth £20,000.