Residents are outraged after council contractors removed a freezer that formed part of a Banksy, and then drove straight past a mound of fly-tipped rubbish in the same street.

The pile of sand bags, electronics and furniture - which has been "festering" for months - has begun to spill out onto the pavement, creating an unattractive welcome for those visiting the famous street art less than 100 yards away.

One resident of Park Place in Margate, Carole Laker, took it upon herself to add a sign to the rubbish, reading: "This is not a Banksy, Thanet District Council feel free to remove."

The 68-year-old told KentOnline: "I phoned the council yesterday at 9am to ask if they were aware of the Banksy - they said no.

"I said perhaps they would like to clear all the rubbish nearby, as there would be a lot of people and media going there, and it wouldn't show Margate in a good light.

"My thoughts were this would be an ideal time to get them to remove it after it had festered there for months.

"But then a truck turned up, removed the freezer and chair, and drove straight past the rubbish!"

Ms Laker, who has lived in Park Place for 15 years, then decided to add the comical sign to "highlight the lack of service provided to [her] run-down area".

She reports that the pile of scrap attracts mice to the street, and in the past, has included syringes.

"It's so stupid that they can leave rubbish on our streets for months, but then you get a genuine artwork like this - which surely any sane person can see the freezer is an integral part of - and they dismantle it straight away.

"It makes no sense at all to an observer now."

The Banksy was covered with a protective panel last night, and the freezer has been returned to its rightful place.

It was removed by the council yesterday on the grounds of safety, because it was on public land.

However it now seems the covering that was added has since been taken off.

Titled 'Valentine's Day Mascara', the new piece shows a woman in a retro dress, complete with kitchen apron and Marigolds, with a bruised eye and missing teeth.

Sticking out from a fridge-freezer – believed to have been placed against the wall purposely – are a pair of legs, suggesting the man has been dumped there by his wife.

It is thought to be a comment on domestic violence against women by the elusive artist.

Thanet District Council has been approached to comment on the fly-tipped rubbish.