New Banksy puts seaside town on the map

A new mural by street artist Banksy has appeared on a wall at a British seaside town.

Fans of the artist have flocked to see the image, which depicts an elderly woman staring at an empty plinth while wearing headphones with her hands clasped behind her back.

Clear plastic sheeting has been placed over the work, called Art Buff by the artist.

Banksy's website has now been updated with images of the wall in Payers Park in Folkestone before and after it appeared overnight

The website also mentions the Folkestone Triennal, a two-month showcase of art in the town, which has attracted art fans including Yoko Ono. The exhibition gained publicity after artist Michael Sailstorfer hid 30 bars of 24-carat gold, worth £10000 (R183000), on Folkestone beach.

Jenny Hollingbee, councillor for Shepway, said: "This is another reason to be proud of Folkestone."

Shepway District Council said it would be working with the owner of the building to ensure the artwork was not damaged.

Earlier this year Banksy announced a new work on his website, with no clues to its location, prompting fans to search for the work.