WORLD famous street artist Banksy could have struck in Bolton — after one of his iconic prints was spotted in the town centre.

Graffiti in the style of his well-known 'Girl With a Balloon' print was found on St George's Road on a wall next to the former Shimuls restaurant.

The image features a girl reaching for a balloon, but it is just out of her reach.

The balloon is in the shape of a heart, which is broken and also features a skull and crossbones.

The image first appeared on the wall of an east London shop in 2002, and an image of Girl and Balloon painted onto the cardboard backing of an Ikea frame sold for £73,250 in 2012.

The copy of the image was spotted by eagle-eyed security guard Zed Mahmood, while he was on his way to work in the town centre.

Mr Mahmood said: "I had seen that picture before on the internet so I knew it wasn't just a normal bit of graffiti."

It is not the first time that the elusive graffiti artist has been suspected to have been at work in Bolton.

A mysterious stencil-based piece of street art was found in Mawdsley Street, just off Great Moor Street, in November last year, featuring vampire Count Orlok cast in shadows holding two Tesco carrier bags.

Graffiti in his style was also spotted in Astley Bridge in January 2014, with a mural of a rat spotted in Blackburn Road. However, a University of Bolton art expert poured cold water on the theory that Banksy had paid a visit to Bolton, and a spokesman for Banksy later confirmed it was not his work.

Fans of Banksy have said there is added meaning behind the balloon artwork, with some saying the balloon represents hope.