Graffiti fans furious after famous Banksy ‘Spy Booth’ mural reduced to rubble by builders

ART fans have been left fuming after an iconic mural by street artist Banksy was torn down.

'Spy Booth' was removed from the Grade II listed house it was painted on by a man using a power drill on Saturday.

It is believed to have been taken down so urgent works can take place to stop the shabby building falling further into disrepair.

The famous artwork popped up in April 2014 after revelations of global surveillance by intelligence agencies by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The mural showed three 'spooks' dressed in trench coats and sunglasses, snooping on a telephone box with listening devices.

Passers-by stared at the scene in Cheltenham, Glos., - located around three miles from GCHQ - on Saturday in disbelief as the mural was removed.

The fate of the mural - which is protected by law after council planners agreed to grant it retrospective planning permission - is not yet known.

Furious Banksy fans took to social media to vent their shock and anger at the situation.

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."

Ade Lautieri added: "It's vandalism."

The artwork has been regularly targeted by vandals of late and urgent work began at the house in June, five months after it was put up for sale at £210,00.

Speaking at the time, Mike Redman, director of environment at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: ''The owner is carrying out works to his property in accordance with the 'urgent works notice' issued by the council to stop further deterioration of the Listed Building, make it weatherproof and secure the safety of the public by removing the risk of falling render.''