Work has begun to restore a Banksy artwork after the building it was spray-painted on was torn down.

The demolition of 11 Bench Street, in Dover, is now complete. The former Castle Amusements site was home to the famous piece of art, which depicted a workman on a ladder chipping away one of the stars of the EU flag.

Banksy created the mural in 2017 – after the Brexit vote – but two years later it was mysteriously whitewashed.

Millions of pounds are now being invested to regenerate the Bench Street area in the town, with a huge cultural and education centre planned.

As such, buildings are being torn down to make way for the project, which will also include new homes and a small park.

DDS Demolition was tasked with tearing down the former Funky Monkey nightclub, which was demolished in August, as well as the former Banksy building.

At the same time, they were committed to attempting to save the artwork, which was previously valued at £1 million.

Speaking this week, a DDS Demolition spokesperson confirmed: “The Banksy has been removed from the building and the restoration process has begun.”

DDS Demolition has been asked what the restoration process entails.

The firm previously told of the high-risk job which could see the artwork lost if “one wrong move” was made.

With the project costing more and taking longer, the demolition firm assured they would do their best to save as much of the art as possible, but would not know how much had been saved until the art restorer had done their part.

As part of the contract with Dover District Council (DDC), anything saved will belong to DDS.

Over the weekend, the first-look of the design for the cultural centre was revealed.

The eye-catching building, proposed to go where the Funky Monkey was, will also host an education campus and business hub.

In addition to the new centre, new homes and a small public space is proposed for Bench Street.

Improvements will also be made to the underpass which connects the town to the seafront.

The project is being led by DDC, and East Kent College Group has been confirmed as the tenant of the education campus, and East Kent Spatial Development Company will take the business start-up centre.