An art dealer is pleading for the Banksy Brexit mural in Dover to be saved before the building it was painted on is demolished.

Dover District Council, which recently bought the rundown property, wants to replace it with housing as part of the regeneration of the town's Bench Street area.

The overall project could also mean the redevelopment of the neighbouring Crypt restaurant site for the first time since a fatal fire there 45 years ago.

But John Brandler, who has several Banksy pieces in his art gallery, believes the Dover mural is still in place and only covered by whitewash.

He says it needs to be lifted off, preserved and ideally displayed somewhere else in the town.

Mr Brandler said: "Getting rid of that mural would be like binning the Mona Lisa - it would be morally criminal.

"It reflects an important period in our country's history whether you agreed with Brexit or not.

"It would be an amazing draw to the town if it was re-displayed."

The mural by the mystery street artist appeared overnight in May 2017.

This was a year after Britain narrowly voted in a referendum to leave the European Union.

The departure is symbolised by the image of a workman on a ladder chipping away one of the stars of the EU flag.

It had been placed on the flank wall of the former Castle Amusements building at 11 Bench Street.

This made it instantly viewable by drivers going along the A20 Townwall Street to catch ferries to the Continent from Dover's Eastern Docks.

It had been valued at £1 million in July 2019.

But the mural mysteriously disappeared that August and a giant square of white was left in its place.

Banksy himself posted about his confusion at it being covered over on social media, along with a picture of his future vision for the site - which showed the flag having crumpled to the floor.

He said on Instagram: "Oh. I had planned that on the day of Brexit I was going to change the piece in Dover to this. But seems they've painted over it. Nevermind. I guess a big white flag says it just as well."

Mr Brandler, who runs the Brandler Galleries in Brentwood, Essex, was one of the countless people around the world following the story at the time.

He has a number of other Banksy images on his premises.

He added: "The mural is not gone, it is behind the white paint. All the council has to do is remove and preserve it. It is 40sqm so it could be placed on another wall."

Traders back 'amazing' plans to transform 'derelict' part of town

Plans for the mural building, which would be replaced by both residential and commercial development, are part of a wider regeneration project for the Bench Street area.

This has also involved empty land next to Castle Amusements at 10 Bench Street, which was the site of the Crypt restaurant.

That plot has now also been bought by Dover District Council.

The original building was destroyed by fire in March 1977, leading to the deaths of seven people.

The land has remained disused ever since but the Friends of the Crypt group wants the site to be used to commemorate the victims.

Chairman Graham Wanstall, who co-arranged a memorial plaque nearby, told KentOnline: "We would like the use of the land to reflect its history as a church site (previously) and the Crypt restaurant and 1977 tragic fire.

"There should either be a memorial garden or the land or its structure used to refits historic significance."

Dover District Council has recently bought two other properties in Bench Street for the regeneration.

One is the former Funky Monkey nightclub, at 14 Bench Street, which is to be demolished and replaced with an education campus and business centre.

The fourth property is at 8 Bench Street, a building consisting of a shop and flats.

A fifth property in the area, 15 Bench Street, plus a car park, are already owned by the council.

Traders in Bench Street have welcomed the planned changes.

Melanie Morgan, from Sew Useful, which sells handmade products such as bags, wallets and purses, said: "I think it's a great idea. The work once completed will be amazing.

"I think to have the Banksy mural preserved would be brilliant. To incorporate it into what they are going to do would be the best.

"But the building it is on definitely needs to go because it is falling down anyway."

Sasha Eastwell, of the Urban Calm beauty salon, said: "The changes would really good for the area. It will bring some more of footfall down our end.

"The Funky Monkey is falling to bits so far as I know so it would be nice to see something decent going up.

"The Banksy mural should be preserved - it is a very good piece of artwork."

Francesco Pasquino, chef of the Il Rustico Italian restaurant, said: "The changes are a good idea. Parts have been derelict for very many years.

"The mural should be kept if possible."

To accomplish the entire project, Dover District Council is trying to secure £20 million from the government's Levelling Up fund.

A spokesman for the authority said: "Further details will be developed following a decision on the funding bid."

That is expected by the end of 2022.

The proposals also include providing 800m² green space next to the River Dour and expanding the current Dover cycle hire scheme.

There would also be 690m² in premises for small/medium businesses.