Lowestoft Banksy mural that was controversially removed from wall sells privately for a rumoured £2million

A seaside town has voiced its anger as a Banksy mural that was controversially removed has sold privately for a rumoured £2million.

The work, which depicts a child with a crowbar next to a sandcastle, appeared on the wall of an old electrical shop in Lowestoft Suffolk last August.

A couple who own the building later removed the street artist's work and have now sold it privately - sparking disappointment in the town.

Nasima Begum, deputy town mayor, said: "It's a shame that someone has decided to profit off something that wasn't for them.

"I'm sure Banksy didn't put it on there in the hope that someone would profit from it.

"It's a real shame. The Banksy art created such a buzz and attracted so many visitors to the area."

One expert said the mural may have sold for as much as £2million.

The couple - Gary and Nadine Schwartz - were rumoured to have shipped the artwork to the prestigious Julien's Auctions in California, US.

But it has emerged that it never left British soil and has instead been sold to a private buyer for an undisclosed price.

Darren Julien, chief executive of Julien's Auctions, confirmed this week that the piece had been sold privately.

He said: "The owner sold the piece out from under us so we will not be offering it. He’s been flakey."

Banksy collector John Brandler said the mural could have sold for £1.5million - £2million at auction and believes that Julien's low guide price - apparently $200,000-$400,000 - had deterred the seller.

Mr Brandler said: "Julien's published such a low estimate that it just wasn't worth the guy's while.

"It didn't go to the US. It's still in the UK in storage."

Lowestoft residents previously condemned the couple's decision to remove the mural from the wall as "selfish".

On Facebook, resident Brandon Eames described the removal as "stupidity" and "disrespectful".

He wrote: "Now being shipped off to sell at public auction.. This is terrible. Why spend the money to protect it then just take it away..."

Fellow local Matthew Cook said: "Greed, lack of understanding, lack of respect.

"Remove a painted artwork all because who did it... its a joke tbh and should have been allowed. Sets a bad precedent."

Gary Schwartz declined to comment.