Street artist Banksy has confirmed he is behind the artwork which shows shady agents eavesdropping around a telephone box on a street in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

The piece appeared three miles from GCHQ, home of the Government's spying network, leading many to speculate that the artist is taking a swipe at the UK's intelligence-gathering methods.

The graffiti depicts figures in sunglasses and trench coats listening in on calls. Credit: SWNS

The mural shows three 1950s-style agents, wearing brown trench coats and trilby hats, using devices to tap into conversations at a telephone box. The Bristol artist did not officially confirm the piece at the time but claimed responsibility during a question and answer session on his website.