British graffiti artist, Zedsy, claimed the mural – which has been entitled ‘Adrift’ – in a post on Instagram yesterday.

The news brings an end to speculation that Banksy had been in town, with some fans certain the art, which is still on Deansgate, was that of the mystery maestro.

In the social media post, Zedsy, who has had work in the Louvre and Tate Modern, shows a figure in a high-visibility jacket with a pixelated face spraying orange paint onto the white wall outside where Marks and Spencer’s used to be.

(Image: NQ) There is some Banksy connection nonetheless as Zedsy had his piece ‘Poison Apple’ exhibited at Dismaland in 2015, although in true Banksy fashion, it was without permission

Dismaland, an art project organised by Banksy in Weston-Super-Mare, was a sinister parody of Disney Land with a crashed Cinderella carriage and gloomy castle among some of its talking points.

Commenters were quick to praise Zedsy’s latest piece, one said: “Saw this on my way into work. Superb!”

Another added: “Loved finding this, made my day, week, month.

The face is beautiful and an important message.”

“Really, really, really good, and brilliant if it weren’t so sad,” added somebody else.

Little is known of Zedsy or why he chose Bolton to host his most recent work.