A NEW Banksy tree mural has been covered up with plastic sheeting and wooden boards after being "vandalised" with white paint.
The landlord of the building in Finsbury Park, north London, has stepped in to protect the artwork which was allegedly targeted the day after the elusive artist confirmed it as his own on Instagram.
Islington Council confirmed to The Sun that it was not involved with putting up the "clear plastic and wooden frame".
However, it would be installing a hoarding to protect it.
A council spokesperson said: "The Banksy artwork has attracted huge crowds, and there is a need to protect the art and local residents from the impact of visitor numbers.
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"The clear plastic and wooden frame over the artwork was installed by the owner of the building, not by the council.
"We've had a lot of concerns from our residents about disruption from the numbers of visitors to the artwork, which is right outside their homes.
"To give people more security and privacy, and to protect the tree, we're installing a hoarding, which will include clear plastic panels to protect the artwork and allow clear views.
"We will monitor and review arrangements at the site, and will continue to explore future solutions with the building owner so people can enjoy the artwork."
It comes after snaps of a mystery man next to the new Banksy fuelled speculation the artist's identity had finally been confirmed.
Onlookers were convinced 67-year-old builder George Georgiou looked similar to Robin Gunningham – who many people believe to be Banksy after mysterious photographs appeared to show him working on a famous mural in 2004.
Conspiracy theorists went wild as the man was also papped sporting similar specs to those worn by Gunningham.
Georgiou dismissed the rumours as "nonsense", adding: "I'm the landlord's father. I know nothing at all about the work."
He told The Sun: "Instead of just whipping a picture, they should've just said who are you? Would've been so much easier."
Waiting for materials to be delivered on Monday, Georgiou said "all hell broke lose" after the work appeared in Hornsey Road on March 18.
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"We found out at about 3pm on Sunday afternoon. One of the tenants rang my son up and told him.
"That was it, the rest of it was speculation. Then it was confirmed Monday, Tuesday.
"Monday evening they done that (chucked white paint on it), and ripped a big chunk out the middle of it."
Georgiou said he spent nearly £2,500 on perspex for the mural so far and has 24/7 security protecting it.
Despite shelling out a small fortune on protective measures, he isn't even a fan of the work.
He explained: "I'd like to get a roller and go over it, get it over and done with, just paint it.
"It's not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination.
"It's for the public really. Unfortunately, there are a bit too many jealous people around.
"Am I fan? I dunno, not a thing I have ever really thought about. We are running round like headless chickens trying to protect it."
Banksy had sprayed green paint on the block behind a cut-back tree, creating the impression that its branches were filled with leaves.
A stencil of a person holding a pressure hose was also painted onto the wall.
But hours after confirming the mural was his, an unknown person threw white paint over part of the work, leading to concerns about further attempts of damage.
The vivid paint colour matches that used by Islington Council for street signs in the area.
