Banksy book found in Eastbourne charity shop sells for £3,400

Inside the cover of the book, the inscription reads: "Brian. Thanks for being the best inspiration in London. Banksy, 2005."

A book which was signed by Banksy has sold for £3,400 at auction after it was bought in a charity shop.

The book, titled Wall and Piece, was purchased for £3 at a shop in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

It contains a handwritten message by the famous street artist addressed to Brian Haw, a British protester and peace campaigner.

Jeannette May, from Eastbourne Auctions, said: "It is a once in a lifetime piece of social history."

Inside the cover of the book, the inscription reads: "Brian. Thanks for being the best inspiration in London. Banksy, 2005."

Ms May said Mr Haw had been known to protest in Parliament Square in London for almost 10 years until his death in 2011.

"The book is signed personally," she said. "Brian didn't fight. He stood, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year for ten years.

"They both obviously had this bond."

The book contains a handwritten message written by Banksy addressed to Brian Haw, a British peace protester

Mr Haw is also believed to have been the inspiration behind Banksy's anti-war work CND Soldiers.

The book, published in 2005, had an estimated value of £600 to £800.

Ms May said the story behind the book was "crazy".

"To be honest, it could just be another copy until you find out it is personally signed," she said.

"I think it's gone through two charity shops."

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].