The landlords gave graffiti artists �50 for their work on the mural

Matt Stringer and Paul De Souza, who run the Druid's Arms in Brighton, had spent hundreds of hours painting over graffiti only for it to re-appear.

So, after locals suggested a mural they paid graffiti artists for a permanent design for the outside of the pub.

They said mutual respect among artists means the wall is now left alone.

Mr Stringer said the wall of the pub in Baker Street had been a constant target for tags and graffiti for years.

"We found cleaning it and repainting it doesn't work and a couple of lads in the pub suggested putting up a mural, so we went with it," he said.

The pub bosses say regulars and neighbours love the mural

"They sprayed this mural up and basically it's stopped the problem.

"I think the idea is that other graffiti artists respect the work that's done and won't put their tag over the top."

Mr De Souza said customers and the pub's neighbours had been full of praise for the mural.

He said: "When we first got the piece done we didn't really think it would be everyone's cup of tea but to be honest we've only ever had positive feedback from it.