A Banksy in a Kent town has been valued at an eye-watering £6 million.

The controversial artwork titled Valentine’s Day Mascara will stay in Margate, at Dreamland amusement park, and be sold to the public in shares.

The mural depicts a battered 1950s housewife pushing a man into a fridge freezer, which Thanet District Council removed.

Now, after being lifted from the wall of the house the piece was painted on and displayed at Dreamland.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to buy a fractional share for £120, according to the firm organising the sale.

Showpiece says on its website the “iconic treasure” has been added to the largest collection it has possessed.

“In the heart of the seaside town of Margate, a graffiti mural was discovered on Valentine’s Day, 2023.

“Depicting an archetypal housewife closing a fridge on her victim, the piece would appear to be a comedic slapstick scene at first glance.

“However, upon closer inspection, a black eye, missing tooth, beer bottle, and frying pan suggested a darker tone.

“This kind of commentary could only come from one artist - Banksy.”

27,000 pieces will be available on August 22, but art fans are able to sign up for a waitlist now.

Aaron Carter, Managing Director of Showpiece, commented: “Like many of Banksy's works, Valentines

Day Mascara highlights a serious subject matter.

“We hope that by working with our charity partners, we can continue to promote the work they accomplish and support the causes Banksy is concerned with.”

Showpiece says it will be raising funds for the national abuse charity Refuge.

Julian Usher, CEO of Red Eight Gallery, who dealt with the initial extraction and protection of the graffiti, said: “I’m so pleased that the Banksy work can be hosted at Dreamland so that it remains in the town for everyone to come and see.

“The fact that it will be accessible for people to actually own a share in is wonderful – and it also means the mural can now make Margate its official home.”

Contractors for the gallery were pictured using a forklift truck to remove the artwork - the last step of an "intricate" process they had been working on for weeks.

It involved propping the house up while the piece was cut out and removed, ahead of its relocation to Dreamland.

A letter by art appraisers Bank Robber stated: “Having carefully studied all the available literature surrounding this work and its removal, along with discussions with your chosen restoration team.

“I am satisfied that the work currently in the process of being stabilised prior to being re-sited at its proposed location is a unique and highly desirable piece.

“As major auction houses are yet to accept street works due to their contentious nature we can only judge the market value based on past sales and market demand.

“With this in mind and taking into account composition, size and medium we would comfortably suggest a figure of £6,000,000.”

The appearance of the Banksy sparked a lengthy saga, with hordes flocking to the unassuming residential street - before the freezer was taken away by Thanet District Council.

It was then put back again, before being removed a second time by Red Eight Gallery.

It is also thought items placed alongside the work by the elusive artist were stolen.

Eventually, the work was placed in Dreamland for the public to view for free, but with suggested donations to mental health charity Oasis.

Showtime’s website says the work will stay in the same spot until at least the end of the year.