Blur Banksy Mural Destroyed

A mural by the acclaimed graffiti artist Banksy has been painted over - despite featuring on the artwork to Blur's 'Crazy Beat' single.

Banksy is one of the nation's most mysterious artists. His work has appeared in prominent places across Britain and beyond, with volumes of photographs documenting his art becoming best sellers.

Yet still no one knows who the reclusive artist is. A pivotal member of the same Bristol scene that spawned Massive Attack and Portishead, no one has given up the true identity of Banksy.

Amongst the artist's musical connections are Blur, who used a Hackney mural for their 2003 single 'Crazy Beat'. The image was on the side of a privately-owned building in London's Stoke Newington, featuring a cartoon version of the Royal Family waving.

The image was painted after owner Sofie Attril gave her permission. However due to an administrative error the painting has now been destroyed. Hackney Council sent letter to an address she lived at 25 years, and when they got no response gave authorisation for the artwork to be painted over.

"The workmen were smiling as they did it – they thought it was funny," Attrill told BBC News. "I just burst into tears. But a crowd gathered and we managed to get them to stop before destroying it completely."

"I don't care about art or politics – I am just an ordinary girl who liked being cheered up by seeing this on my street," she added. "We never wanted to make money out of it like many do – but it was a part of our lives. Now it's gone."

Cllr Alan Laing of Hackney Council initially stated: "The council's position is not to make a judgement call on whether graffiti is art."

Laing later commented that he was sorry for any mistake. "Due to a problem at the land registry, unfortunately our letters stating our intention to clean this building didn't reach the owner. As soon as we realised this, work stopped. We are now speaking with her about how to resolve the issue."

Banksy's murals are worth several thousand pounds each.