A Bristol homeowner has received the birthday gift of a lifetime after he awoke to to discover a new street artwork thought to be a Banksy on the side of his house.
The new mural appeared overnight on the side of the Bristol property - in the home city of the mysterious street artist.
The artwork, which appeared on the eve of Valentine's Day, has a romantic theme and delighted the property owner, 67-year-old Edwin Simons.
He said: "I'm shocked, absolutely shocked. How do we protect it? That's all there is in my mind. I don't want it vandalised.
"We want to protect it. I will never take it down - if I can protect it. I don't know what I'm going to do. We need someone with some knowledge about it.
"I've always been fascinated by Banksy. I think he's brilliant, absolutely brilliant - and he's more brilliant now!
"We never thought this would happen to us.
"I think it needs to be covered in anti-vandal paint. But I don't know how you would protect the flowers. We need to get some advice."
Landlord Mr Simons, from Longwell Green, Bristol, has owned the property - currently valued at around £235,000 - for 15 years.
It is divided into three flats, with the Valentine's Day-inspired artwork on the exterior of the building's left side.
He said: "The price [of the house] doesn't come into it for me - it's just brightened my day.
"It looks like it's a Banksy. We might have to put a frame over it; I don't know how we will protect it otherwise.
"It's a good birthday present. It's brought me out of the dumps.
"If there's anyone who can help us - the door's open!"
Residents in the Barton Hill area of the city woke up to see the artwork on the side of a house this morning.
It appears to show a young girl firing a slingshot of flowers - possibly in relation to February 14th.
The delighted daughter of the landlord who owns the home said she was "gobsmacked" when she discovered the artwork on her birthday.
Kelly Woodruff, 37, helps with the management of the property on the junction of Marsh Road and Avonvale Road.
She said: "I'm literally gobsmacked. I'm so excited. It's given everyone a bit of a buzz."
"I haven't even spoken to my dad about it yet. I saw it on Facebook and immediately texted it to him. It's his birthday.
"I don't know what our plans are - but we're definitely keeping [the artwork].
"I was trying to get my dad to sell some property. It's a family-run business. I would say sell [the house] straight away!
"It's just incredibly exciting. I'm a born and bred Bristol girl. I follow Banksy all the time."
She added: "It's just incredible. It's so exciting that it's happened on Dad's birthday - it's a real present.
"It's not bad being 67 and getting a Banksy!
"We'd cry if someone vandalised it - we love it.
"We've got another property in Easton - Banksy come and do some others for us!"
When asked if he was Banksy, Edwin added: "No, I wish I was - I wouldn't owe the money I owe!"
Bristolians excitedly speculated the work could be a Banksy as they awoke to the freshly created mural this morning, reports Bristol Live.
The Bristol Somali Community Association posted photos of the artwork on Twitter.
They said: "Today in Barton Hill, we woke up with this remarkable mural art painted on one of the houses of the area.
"We hope it’s Banksy’s work. Come and have a look yourself. Whoever painted, it’s worth admiring their creativity."
An eyewitness on Marsh Lane described how they first saw the potential new Banksy piece in Barton Hill on Marsh Lane this morning at 8am.
They say it wasn't there last night when they finished work and walked home at 10pm.
The Bristol-based street artist is known to create his masterpieces under the cover of darkness - leaving the scene before anyone can spot him in action.
The eyewitness told Bristol Live: "Noticed when I went to the shop to get a couple of things.
"There were people getting out cars and taking pictures. It caught my eye as I know that wall is normally blank.
The child in the corner is what makes me think it's Banksy as it is very alike to his other pieces.
"As for the location its eye catching to passers by as it is on a junction, and different to previous locations as Barton Hill hasn't had something like this before."
