Shocked bar owner believes mural is LGBT tribute

The mural has appeared on the bin doors of a bar

The boss of a gay bar has told of his shock and delight after its wall was spray-painted with what he believes is a tribute to the LGBT community.

The mystery piece of artwork appeared overnight on the wall of Sidewalk in Birmingham's gay village.

There had been speculation it was the work of elusive graffiti artist Banksy, but a spokesperson has since confirmed this is not the case.

Bar director Phil Oldershaw described the creation as beautiful and said he would protect it anyway.

Mr Oldershaw explained the mural, depicting Dorothy from The Wizard Of Oz reaching for a pair of ruby slippers hanging from a nearby cable, appeared overnight on Wednesday.

"I got a message from somebody and went down to the business at midday," he told BBC Radio WM.

"There was this great big piece of art there, beautifully sitting on our bin room doors."

People have been to the spot to take pictures, Mr Oldershaw said

When he got out of his car, Mr Oldershaw was greeted by builders from a nearby garage who were taking pictures.

He added: "They were all pointing saying 'that's a Banksy mate!'"

The director suggested its location was apt.

He said he believed it was a tribute to the LGBT community, with "friend of Dorothy" a well-known euphemism for a gay man.

The ruby slippers have been left hanging from an overhead cable

"If you relay it back to the 50s and 60s onwards... the Wizard of Oz was a huge film with Judy Garland and Dorothy became a gay icon," he added.

"I don't know if the new age gays will really get that, but us old-school gays related to the phrase.

"I think it's an honour to the gay community saying 'look we recognise you, we appreciate you and here's this piece of art'."

In a statement to the PA news agency, a spokesman for Banksy confirmed the art was not by him.

The actual artist behind the Dorothy mural has not yet been revealed.