Banksy's Valentine's Day themed artwork has been removed - less than 24 hours after it first appeared.

The mural, spraypainted on the back of a building in Margate, Kent, was only confirmed to be a genuine Banksy by the artist this morning (TUES).

However, just hours after the confirmation, contractors from Thanet District Council carted away the freezer that formed a vital part of the piece.

The mural - named ‘Valentine’s Day Mascara' - shows a woman in a 50s-era dress after she has supposedly thrown her husband in a fridge-freezer that has been placed strategically in front of the wall.

The woman is complete with a kitchen apron and rubber gloves, but her smile is missing a tooth and she is winking from a battered and bruised eye.

Her other half is only visible by his legs that are dangling out of the kitchen appliance which has now been taken away.

Many art lovers have flocked to see the new addition today and have been left shocked by its sudden disruption.

Dan Bambridge-Higgins, who captured the moment the freezer was taken away, described his disbelief.

He tweeted: "You can’t get them to sort out any fly tipping but hilariously sad that the instant reaction to a new Banksy in Margate by @ThanetCouncil is to remove it!"

Mark Delaney replied: "Talk about Thanet Council shooting themselves in the foot. How petty."

ITV Meridian reporter Joe Coshan tweeted: "Extraordinary scenes here in Margate - a removal team has been sent to remove the fly tipped fridge because of health and safety."

"A gallery were sent by the house owner to protect it but they’ve arrived too late."

In footage posted online, a man can be heard asking one of the contractors: "You do know it's a Banksy, yeah?"

The worker replies: "I'm fully aware of that and so's my boss, who's asked me to do this."

The man asks: "How do you feel having to do this?"

The worker responds: "It's my job."

The council has been approached for comment.