Southampton sees Banksy graffiti on four-wheeled cycles

Lou Taylor is taking the Banksy picture around Southampton

"It's a simple picture speaking volumes," says Lou Taylor as he tows a 6ft (1.8m) high picture by graffiti artist Banksy through Southampton.

The original Banksy painting appeared on a wall in the Bevois Valley area, but was whitewashed shortly afterwards.

The image was of a child sitting on the pavement holding a red balloon, which formed part of the phrase "no future".

Lou Taylor put a print on two of his cycle-driven advertising hoardings and wheeled them around the city.

"Very poignant"

Mr Taylor, who set up his four-wheeled-cycle advertising company in 2007, said he had been intending to go and view the original painting when he heard it had been painted over.

The original painting was whitewashed over in November

He said: "I thought, 'If I hadn't seen it, a lot of people haven't seen it' - and this will let everybody else see it. It's very poignant."

Musician and broadcaster Xan Phillips who was also involved in planning the mobile display said: "We love the art, everyone who has seen Banksy is inspired by what he does.

"Even though it is called graffiti, it actually has a message people can really understand. You get it instantly."

They are also carrying out a survey, asking anyone who sees the mobile hoardings if Banksy's work is "graffiti or art".

The original image was was sprayed on to a white wall in November and a photo of it appeared on the artist's website, indicating it was genuine.

Bristol-based Banksy, who has never revealed his identity, is known for painting political and satirical graffiti on walls during the night, apparently unnoticed.