Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

World famous graffiti artist Banksy has confirmed his latest creation is on the side of a garage in Port Talbot.

The artwork appeared on the side of a domestic garage in Richmond Terrace.

It covers two walls, with a picture of a large metal commercial bin with flames coming from it on one side, and a boy appearing to have snow fall on him on the other, with the snow in reality, just the ashes from the fire.

The work had sparked wild speculation that it could be a Banksy, after images began circulating on social media.

But confirmation only came today when Banksy put images and a video of the artwork on his website and Instagram page. It was his 100th Instagram post. This is how much the Port Talbot Banksy could be worth.

All the artist said to accompany a video of his work was, "Season's greetings".

It shows the artwork in profile, then the camera lifts up to look over the top of it to the steelworks in the distance.

Banksy is an anoymous England-based street artist known for his satirical and subversive work which has appeared on walls around the country. You can read more about his suspected identity here.

The amazing spray-paint image in Port Talbot has attracted people from all over south Wales.

Ian Lewis, 55, is the owner of the garage and he looked a little bewildered today at how his nondescript building, which he constructed himself 20 years ago, had become such a talking point overnight.

"I saw the image first on Facebook on Tuesday morning, and thought that looks a bit like my garage," he said from outside his home on Richmond Terrace,.

"I showed it to my son and he agreed, so I went out and had a look and there it was."

(Image: www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk) (Image: www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

For the rest of the night, he and his brother-in-law, Wayne Jenkins, took it in turns to keep watch over what is the first Banksy piece in Wales.

Whoever wasn't on watch made cups of tea for the steady stream of people stopping by to take a look and grab a picture next to the artwork.

"At the moment it is for everybody and it should be enjoyed by everybody," said Mr Lewis, a steelworker at the nearby Tata works.

Even the police arrived at 1am, having created an incident specifically for it and setting up patrols in the area as a precautionary measure.

When they arrived at the scene, they took off their hi-viz vests so they could get a quick picture first, said Mr Lewis's partner, Julia.

(Image: www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk) (Image: www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

The image chosen by Banksy has resonated deeply with many of the local residents.

One neighbour and friend of Mr Lewis, who didn't want to be named, said: "Every day of the year, we go out and clean the windows because of the black ash in the air and I think that is why he did this."

How do you know if Banksy's artwork is authentic? The work of Banksy, the intriguing artist who works under the cloak of darkness to produce his pieces in all manner of public places, is in such high demand that original works can now change hands for millions of pounds. He’s come a long way since his first satirical stencils started popping up around Bristol in the early 90s. Banksy set up a handling service, called Pest Control, in 2009 to act as the only point of sale for new works by himself. Pest Control and Banksy will not issue Certificates of Authenticity (COA) for works that are produced on the street, except on very rare occasions. COA’s are usually only issued for works that were produced for commercial purposes. Banksy sets out to make art for everyone on the street, not just to line the pockets of a fortunate few. He is more interested in making powerful statements about politics, the environment or social issues. Whenever a new piece appears on the streets, the question is always is this the latest work of British street artist Banksy? Are there any tell tale signs to help validate claims that Banksy has struck again? Two key markers of a genuine Banksy work are a busy location and a political subject. While other graffiti artists go for railway lines or rundown areas to reach their community, Banksy aims for the wider public. Graffiti artist Bryce Davies said the piece in Port Talbot could have been done relatively quickly and was likely done using stencils. He added that Banksy may have done it in daylight, adding that "the power of wearing a high-vis" may have meant Banksy could have done it relatively unnoticed. There usually isn't very much colour, it's monochrome with spots of colour. Stencilling Banksy uses stencils which saves time and gives his work sharp edges that are hard to replicate freehand. Stencilling used to be rare in the UK, more a technique seen on the streets of France, but Banksy's success means it's become very common. Detail Banksy has a greater degree of detail than most artists because his stencils are multi-layered. Critics say he is a competent rather than brilliant technician. Signature His signature doesn't appear on all his works but does on some of his pieces in the UK. A fake Banksy in Bristol had his signature but some fans indicated it wasn't real because the paint ran. Innocence Banksy never explains his work but the implication in many of his pieces is that a figure perceived as weak and innocent is fighting back against the heavy hand of authority.

'Clever and creative'

Aberavon AM, David Rees, who had come down for a look on Wednesday morning, said: "If it is Banksy then that is what he does: it's in a public position in a prominent place.

"It is such a clever, creative piece, using the garage corner for a 3D effect so you get the child playing in what looks like snow, but is actually ash."

One man, who said he knew a lot about Banksy, had come to inspect the work and said he left feeling 100% certain it was his work. According to him, the telltale sign was the line in the image, which in this case was formed by the corner of the garage.

£25k offered for garage

(Image: www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk) (Image: www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

Mr Lewis's partner, Julia, said someone had already offered her £25k for the garage.

"He came up to me and said he would give me £20k and I just laughed, and straight away he said £25k," she said.

"But you can't be thinking like that already- this is for the people who live here.

"We don't want to cover it up. We want people to come and have their picture taken with it."

Plaid Cymru Councillor for Aberavon, Nigel Thomas Hunt, whose conviction that the piece was by the famous street artist proved right, called it a "masterpiece".

He said: "I am delighted that the community has been bestowed with such a thought provoking piece of art.

"I am very confident it's authentic - this has the Bristol street art scene all over it.

"It’s political, subversive and satirical - all the traits and nuance of Banksy."

'The clues are all around'

According to Councillor Hunt, it is not a random piece and the clues all around pointed to Banksy.

Immediately opposite the garage, the burned remains of the massive bonfire that happens every November 5 can still be seen, and the chimney stacks of the steel works can just be seen above the rooftops of the terraced streets.

The streets nearby were home to Hollywood actors Michael Sheen, Richard Burton and Sir Anthony Hopkins.

"Trust me, there have been clues," said Mr Hunt.

(Image: www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

Julia, who runs the local walking group, agreed. On one of their walks a few months ago, a historian from Bristol, who said he knew Banksy, came on one of their walks.

"We took him all round the town, looking at Richard Burton's old home and the setting for Michael Sheen's Passion," she said.

"Now, three months later, this has appeared."

An environmental and political statement

Richard Jenkins, from Port Talbot, had wandered up to take a look. The 47-year-old outreach worker said: "Knowing some of his work in the past, he has issues with the establishment and issues surrounding the environment and politics.

"Port Talbot is known as one of the worst places for pollution in the UK, and there are obviously environmental and political elements in this piece of artwork."

Banksy's works have fetched millions, and his iconic Girl and Balloon famously sold for £860,000 earlier this year, despite sinking through its frame moments after the sale and being shredded.

The latest artwork has appeared only months after Port Talbot was mistakenly dubbed the most polluted town in the UK.

(Image: www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk) (Image: www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

The council, which was trying to establish if it was a genuine Banksy artwork earlier today, was talking to experts in Bristol on Wednesday morning.

The first thoughts of those stood admiring the work was security and how it could be preserved while letting people still enjoy it.

A spokesman for Neath Port Talbot Council said earlier it had to be remembered that the artwork was on private property and it had yet to be confirmed that the artist was Banksy.

Later on Wednesday morning, it sent officers round to the garage to help erect protective fencing.