A Banksy painting has been destroyed by Essex council for being “racist” and “offensive”. It marks the second time the town, Clacton-on-Sea, was in the news earlier this week as Tory MP Douglas Carswell defected to the right wing UK Independence (Ukip) party. A by-election will take place in the town next week. Ukip has long argued that Britain’s immigration policies are too open.

The painting shows a flock of pigeons standing opposite an exotic bird. The pigeons hold placards reading “Go Back to Africa”, “Migrants not Welcome” and “Keep off Our Worms”. The local council in Clacton-on-Sea ordered the paintings destroyed but says they did not know the work was by Banksy, the world famous street artist whose works - which are almost invariably intended to be subversive and satirical - can sell for millions.

Banksy posted pictures of the painting on his website but by the time it emerged he was responsible for the work the council ordered cover up had already happened.

Nigel Brown, communications manager for Tendring Council, said: “The site was inspected by staff who agreed that it could be seen as offensive and it was removed this morning in line with our policy to remove this type of material within 48 hours.”

"There was a sharp intake of breath when we realized it was a Banksy."

“We would obviously welcome an appropriate Banksy original on any of our seafronts and would be delighted if he returned in the future.”