A valuable Banksy artwork has been swiped from a container on a Dungeness beach.

The new work by the graffiti artist Banksy was ripped off just days after it was painted.

The image of a vulture with a petrol pump as its head was believed to have been drawn on a container on the beach near the Britannia pub over the bank holiday weekend.

But by last Thursday yobs had cut the fibreglass surface off the container, leaving only the wooden frame underneath.

But the crime has left police scratching their heads - as it may not have been a theft!

Police told KentOnline this afternoon they are investigating whether it qualifies as a theft - or criminal damage.

If it was commissioned, it would legally count as theft - but if not, police will only treat the case as one of criminal damage to the shipping container.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman added the work had not actually been confirmed as a Banksy.

Though the picture was found on banksy.co.uk, the site is reportedly unofficial and features some works which have not been authorised as being by the artist.

The container's owner, who wished to remain anonymous, has alerted Kent Police and offered a reward for the street art's safe return.

Street works by the graffiti artist, who has never revealed his real identity, sell for upwards of £50,000.

Rumours of the work first spread earlier in the week on Twitter after an image appeared on Banksy's official website.

Lydd-on-Sea photographer Wendy Carrig went to the site at 2pm on Thursday but found nothing but a hole where the work had been.

She said: "I keep an eye out for what people are tweeting about in Dungeness. I saw this and had to have a look.

"It would have been exciting to have a Banksy in Dungeness. It's such a shame it's gone and I didn't get to see it!"

The Dungeness piece was part of a group of three painted on the South East coast last month.