'Please have a picture ... Much love, Banksy'

"The staff had to make quite a few calls this morning to make sure nobody cleaned it off," said head teacher Geoff Mason. Photo / Twitter

When pupils at Bridge Farm Primary School in Bristol returned from half term this week, they found a new mural decorating one of the walls - apparently painted by Banksy, the elusive street artist whose identity remains a closely guarded secret.

The 4.2m painting of a child with a stick with a stick chasing a burning tyre, signed by Banksy, was seemingly left as a token of appreciation after the school named one of its houses after the artist.

The mural was discovered by the school's caretaker, who also found a note saying:

"Dear Bridge Farm School,

Thanks for your letter and naming a house after me. Please have a picture. If you don't like it feel free to add stuff, I'm sure the teachers won't mind - remember, it's always easier to get forgiveness than permission.

Much love, Banksy."

School head teacher Geoff Mason told the Bristol Post: "I think it went up over the weekend, and completed last night, but we're not entirely sure.

"It was done after we ran a competition to change the house names, and we decided to name them after Bristol legends. We had to include Banksy."

The other three school houses were named Cabot, Brunel and Blackbeard.

"We thought it would be a good idea to write to the PR company and let them know we've run the competition," Mason added.

"I'm sure this is Banksy's work. We had a call from his PR team, and a letter signed by him."

"We are very thrilled about it, and it's great for the school community.

"I'm sure it will inspire the children. The staff had to make quite a few calls this morning to make sure nobody cleaned it off.

"It really is amazing."