BANKSY artwork worth hundreds of thousands could be destroyed in just weeks if nothing is done to save it.
A mural of a Hermit crab holding a ‘Luxury Rentals Only’ sign facing three shell-less crabs was scrawled on a Norfolk seawall in 2021.
But the stencil in Cromer is being ravaged by the sea and has deteriorated significantly, with its colour and edges now totally washed out.
Cllr Tim Adams, leader of North Norfolk District Council, said he would be “surprised if it survives through the winter”.
He added: “It was a very nice thing to have for the town.
“We’ve applied a resin to protect it, but it’s extremely exposed to the elements, constantly being hit by high tide, debris and the weather.”
The statement piece – a jab at pricey holiday rentals– has also been damaged by vandals who have sprayed genitals and exclamation marks on it.
After discovering the artwork, the council decided against removing it, admitting that shifting such a huge piece of concrete would be difficult.
And Mr Adams said councillors felt it was the artist’s intention for it to be left.
“Very few are left in the public realm and freely accessible”, he added.
The art was among a number created by Banksy in August 2021 as part of his ‘Great British Spraycation’ series along the east coast of England.
Other works in the series included a miniature thatched stable with the words “Go Big or Go Home” on its side at Merrivale Model Village in Great Yarmouth.
It was later sold for £1m at auction.
A huge seagull painted on the side of a block of flats in Katwijk Way, Lowestoft, Suffolk was also removed.
It was reported it could have fetched anywhere from £1m to £3m at auction.
Other Banksy works remain in place, including a couple dancing on top of a bus stop on Admiralty Road, in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
While a painting of children playing in a boat at Nicholas Everitt Park, in Oulton Broad, Suffolk, remains.