A Bristol mural by graffiti artist Banksy has been painstakingly repaired after it was defaced.

As reported by the Bristol Post on Monday, red paint was splattered across the Mild, Mild West art work which has adorned a wall in Stokes Croft for ten years.

One of Banksy's early pieces, it shows a Teddy bear aiming a Molotov cocktail at police.

An organisation called Appropriate Media, an anti-graffiti group, claimed responsibility for the vandalism and has called for the "appropriate and legitimate use of public and private property".

But local group the People's Republic of Stokes Croft, which is in favour of street art, cleaned up the mural.

Chairman Chris Chalkley said: "We had to take a decision quickly about a response, as the paint was drying as we deliberated.

"We consulted passers-by, the street drinkers and other members of PRSC. The verdict was unanimous that we should attempt a repair, so we got to work."

Other graffiti below the mural was also repaired.

It is thought the vandals struck the Banksy mural late on Sunday night or early Monday.

It was the second time the mural had been damaged in two weeks.