Santa graffiti on West Sussex County Hall

Many believe the artwork to be that of the infamous and anonymous artist Banksy, who has created topical and controversial graffiti art at random locations around the UK.

And to add to the humour a pile of coal was left below the artwork at West Street, which was believed to have been completed early today (Thursday, December 23).

However, the joy of celebrating the comical feat in Chichester was short-lived as county council officials ordered the graffiti to be painted over immediately.

And before 9am it was all gone.

One passer-by said: “The county council are so desperate to get rid of it, they’ve painted over it in the wrong colour”.

Alan Wilkins of Fishbourne, was lucky enough to observe the Father Christmas artwork.

He said: “I think it’s brilliant. For all the rubbish graffiti you get around town you go and get something like this.

“They are going to get rid of it straight away.

“Most people are looking at it and think it’s funny. Everyone has had their cameras out, taking pictures.”

The Father Christmas is coloured in black and red and sits on the white wall of the former county council information centre in West Street.

It sits beneath a county hall sign.