A security guard has been sent in to monitor the suspected Banksy painting in Lynn.

The artwork, depicting William Shakespeare holding a tin of spray paint, was discovered on a set of white doors on Ferry Street yesterday morning.

It has prompted the question of whether the painting was completed by the world-famous artist himself.

Although it has not yet been confirmed to be a legitimate Banksy painting, efforts have been made to protect the piece from vandalism.

West Norfolk Council installed a protective screen over the piece yesterday afternoon.

Now, a security guard appears to be monitoring the situation from a nearby parked car.

It is not known who has funded the guard to monitor the painting, which emerged overnight.

Banksy has yet to confirm if the piece was painted by himself.

Normally, the artist posts his work on social media platforms and his website within a few days of creating it. The picture of the Bard has yet to appear on his channels.

“Shakespeare woz ere” is written in red next to the picture of the famous writer, who is believed to have performed in the town.

Banksy last paid a visit to West Norfolk in 2021, when he posted a social media video showing that his works around the area were genuine.

Shakespeare is believed to have performed at St George’s Guildhall in Lynn between 1592 and 1593 when the plague closed London theatres.

As the UK’s oldest working theatre, the site recently exposed 15th-century floorboards and a 600-year-old door, likely used as a “tiring house” or dressing room by the Bard.