A new 'Banksy' painting has been spotted in Kent, but the work has not yet been confirmed as genuine by the elusive artist.

The painting is very similar to what are believed to be several other Banksy pieces across the country, showing a small girl trying to catch hold of a red balloon.

This latest stencil was photographed by Stewart May, from Deal.

He says he is not sure if it's the genuine article.

Mr May said: "I don't know if it is his work. It looks very much like it but may just be a copy-cat, but I hope not. Maybe someone can tell me if it's real or not."

Mr May photographed the stencil near the Sandwich bypass yesterday evening.

It has not yet appeared on Banksy's website, where official works are often displayed in a rolling gallery.

The last confirmed Banksy in Kent was Art Buff, painted to coincide with the Folkestone Triennial.

The painting, on the wall of a town centre arcade, was only in place for a matter of days before it was chiselled off the wall and shipped to Miami, where it failed to sell at an international art fair.