Possible Banksy uncovered in Manchester city centre

Manchester City Council is trying to confirm if the mural is a Banksy

A mural thought to have been created by graffiti artist Banksy in 2001 has been uncovered in Manchester city centre.

Contractors working for the council were clearing foliage from a wall in Tib Street, in the Northern Quarter, when they found the work on Tuesday.

The mural, which depicts a bulldog's head with a poodle's body, has the artist's signature below.

Work has now stopped at the site, until the council can confirm whether it is a genuine Banksy.

Martin Bull, who wrote a book about the street artist, believes it was created by him.

"It is not just the quality of his work and it is certainly not just the tag which some people think it is - he doesn't tag all of them.

'Relatively confident'

"This is from 2001 and there are actually photographs on the internet of it nine years ago.

"There were a lot of them in 2001 in Manchester. There was actually one similar to this near the bus station which has recently gone.

"He has also done this image in Bristol and in the Swiss embassy in London so I'm relatively confident."

Councillor Pat Karney, the council's lead member for Manchester city centre, added: "It's really exciting. It is already the number one attraction in the Northern Quarter."