Banksy Releases Bristol Riots Souvenir Poster

Notorious British graffiti artist Banksy has released a limited edition poster depicting a Tesco Value petrol bomb, in reference to last month's riots in Bristol.

Following a police raid on a squat called 'Telepathic Heights' in the Stokes Croft area of Bristol on April 21, hundreds took to the streets to protest.

Some 300 were thought to be defending the squat and a further 1,000 were caught up in the mayhem - and 160 police officers, many in riot uniform, were involved.

The police insist that intelligence suggested that petrol bombs were in the squat and designated for the controversial new Tesco store, which had opened opposite, six days before.

There was a second riot on April 28, and the police have made 37 arrests in all and charged nine people over the two clashes.

Banksy, who is believed to come from the West Country city and is famed for his satirical and biting cartoons, has produced the poster to commemorate the riots.

The new work shows a brown bottle labelled in Tesco's blue and white 'Value' colours which is stuffed with a flaming rag.

Copies of the poster will be available to buy for £5 from Bristol's Anarchist Bookfair on Saturday at 80 Hamilton House, Stokes Croft.

All proceeds garnered from the poster, which first appeared on Wednesday morning on the artist's website, will go to the People's Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC).

According to the Bristol Anarchist Bookfair website, the poster has been released "as a fundraiser for local groups in the Stokes Croft/Bristol area".

It is aimed at those "who support local art, squatting and those arrested and harassed as a result of the recent Stokes Croft disturbances".

The statement continued: "We are sure that the authorities in Bristol, along with the local corporate media, who have been so full of praise for Banksy in recent times, will appreciate this gesture and not lose their sense of humour."