[Mrluvaluva]

The Bristol-born graffiti artist Banksy is thought to be behind a new sprayed stencil of the Queen in his home town.

The eye-catching image sprang up over the Jubilee weekend on a wall previously used by the globally renowned street artist.

The canvas, directly opposite the Bristol Children's Hospital, portrays a young Queen Elizabeth II, with her eyes closed, wearing the Crown Jewels.

Her Majesty's face is decorated with a patriotic red and blue stripe, mirroring the jagged stripe used on David Bowie's 1973 album cover Aladdin Sane.

Passers-by on Upper Maudlin Street stopped to stare and take photographs of the new picture.

Although Banksy has not claimed responsibility on his official website for the work, he has confirmed that a previous image on the same wall was authentic.

It showed a boy creeping up behind a sniper, but was destroyed last year in an apparent sabotage by rivals.


Sky