Shakespeare spray art is not graffiti by Banksy

The group which represents graffiti artist Banksy has said street art in King's Lynn depicting William Shakespeare was not created by him.

The piece, near the 15th Century Guildhall where Shakespeare is said to have performed, depicts the playwright spray‑painting the wall.

Pest Control, which describes itself as "the legal guardian for the artist Banksy", confirmed to the BBC that the work was not by him.

The artwork on doors at the back of The Globe pub in Ferry Street was first spotted on Monday.

King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council was quick to cover it in a plastic case to protect it, and a bouncer from the pub watched as people turned up to see it and take pictures.

Art dealer Lee Webster said there were telltale signs it was not a genuine Banksy.

"When a piece like this comes to town, it's always exciting," he said.

Webster, from Urban Art Store, who buys and sells contemporary works like those created by Banksy, said he had not found out who had created the King's Lynn piece.

"If you look at the hands, Banksy isn't very good at doing hands – when you look at them, they're normally like sausage fingers," he said.

"Also, there's an overlap on the right hand. [Banksy's] too much of a perfectionist to get that wrong."

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