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This famous Banksy artwork showing "snooping" in Cheltenham has been removed.

Spy Booth depicts three 1950s-style agents, wearing brown trench coats and trilby hats, using devices to tap into conversations at a telephone box.

On April 13, 2014 the mural first appeared on the house in Fairview Road, Cheltenham.

The graffiti street art - which highlights the issue of Government surveillance - is located on the Grade II listed building near GCHQ, where the UK's surveillance network is based.

Spy Booth was granted listed status by Cheltenham Borough Council but the house itself has been put up for sale in January this year.

A social media post yesterday appeared to show the mural being cut down behind a tarpaulin.

(Image: PA)

A pile of rubble now lies on the ground below the wall of the house.

Banksy fans vented their frustration on social media, including Cheltenham's deputy mayor Klara Sudbury who said on Twitter simply: "#ripCheltenhamBanksy"

(Image: PA) (Image: PA)

The Gloucestershire Echo reported LaToya Howe wrote: "Can't believe it's gone! Only in Gloucestershire do we destroy such an important piece of art work, it's horrendous."



Richard Knight suggested: "What a disgrace could have been protected by a big thick sheet of toughened glass."



It is believed the artwork, which has suffered from repeated vandalism , was taken down so urgent building works can be undertaken on the house.

(Image: SWNS)

(Image: SWNS)

A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said the force had had no reports of a crime being committed.

Steve Jordan, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, told the BBC work had been taking place to repair plasterwork on the wall of the house after the council had issued an enforcement notice.

But he said he was unaware the Banksy had vanished.