LONDON — A £1 million mural by British street artist Banksy which mocked government surveillance has been destroyed during building works on the house on which it appeared in 2014, the local council said Monday. The local council said the owner had confirmed the mural was damaged during urgent works on the end-of-terrace home, which was given protected status after the mural appeared overnight in April 2014. "He was carrying out works to his property following an urgent works notice issued by the council to stop further deterioration of the listed building," said council official Mark Nelson. "We were aware of loose render on that part of the building where this was situated but the extent and how far it would affect the mural was unknown until work progressed." Alex Chalk, the Conservative MP for the town, described the destruction as "shocking news," calling the work an "admired piece of Cheltenham’s artistic heritage".

Source: Viet Nam News August 23, 2016 04:30 UTC