Banksy auction exceeds estimates

Much of the artist's work is seen on walls in streets around the UK

In pictures: Banksy auction

The biggest auction yet of original works by graffiti artist Banksy has exceeded its estimated takings.

The 10 pieces and a print were expected to raise a maximum of £300,000 in total when they were sold in London at auction house Bonhams.

However, the works actually fetched £546,000 altogether.

The piece which generated most money was Avon and Somerset Constabulary, which depicted two policemen looking through binoculars and fetched £96,000.

The next most expensive work, Attack of the Badly Drawn Boy, raised £78,000.

Untitled, Rat and Sword went for the third-highest price of £64,800.

Bonhams said it had been expecting "standing room only" for some items at the sale.

'Vandalism'

The collection under the hammer contained mostly spray-paint stencils, and the works were painted on canvas, board and metal.

As well as the 10 original works, the auction also included Di Faced Tenners, a screen print which consisted of a series of £10 notes where the Queen's head had been replaced by that of Diana, Princess of Wales.

This sold for £24,000.

The final prices include tax and the premiums paid to auction house Bonhams.

Earlier this week, officials in the east London borough of Tower Hamlets said they would be painting over Banksy's murals on walls in their area, becoming the first council to treat them as vandalism.

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