Turnip 'has two entries by Banksy'

Two pieces of art in the style of Banksy have been entered in this year’s Turnip Prize.

The Turnip Prize is a spoof of the annual Turner Prize for art, frequently ridiculed for entries such as Tracy Emin’s unmade bed.

Organisers are claiming two pieces fighting for the 2009 Turnip are from the elusive Bristol artist.

The first is “Banksy Turnip Prize the X Factor”, a stencil portrait of Simon Cowell with a speech bubble saying “Does anyone actually take this kind of art seriously?”

The second is a 3ft by 3ft piece of Somerlap fencing with white sprayed on words “Don’t take a fence”.

Turnip organiser Trevor Prideaux said: “Over the last three years we have had a growing rapport with the Bristol-based artist and we are delighted that he takes The Turnip Prize extremely seriously.

“I have made various inquiries into the authenticity of the work and have been informed that it is certainly in the style of Banksy and one of the pieces bears a secret signature that Banksy has been using on all of his recent work.

“The fact that it was left anonymously only adds to the growing possibility that it could be.”

The presentation  takes place at 6.30pm on Monday, December 7, in The New Inn in Wedmore, Somerset.