Oldhamers think a Banksy work has appeared in the borough

The artwork depicts a boy in a pirate ship holding a chest of treasure that appears to be sailing towards an island with palm trees, although it looks like it has not been completed.

It can be found at the side of Snippers Barber Shop on Broadway at the bottom of the white wall.

Christine Lowe said she spotted the artwork around Christmas Day and was "really shocked" by it's resemblance to Banksy's work.

She said: "It's probably a Banksy, it's got all the makings.

"If it's not Banksy, it's someone who is really talented."

The street art from a distance (Image: Christine Lowe).

The famous street artist, whose identity has never been revealed, is known for his provocative pieces which are often political or social commentaries.

Ms Lowe said: "I don't know what the meaning is, but there obviously is one."

She described how she passed by the artwork on Christmas Day with her husband and went up to get a closer look.

She said: "Up close the detail is amazing.

"What he's doing in Oldham is beyond me."

A Banksy artwork that went on to be painted over as part of the BBC show The Outlaws (Image: PA)

Julie McLoughlin, owner of Snippers, said she got a surprise when she saw it as she arrived for work on Monday, December 20.

She said: "I have no idea who did it, it just appeared.

"Whoever has done it should come back to finish it and let us know who they are."

She posted some pictures of it on the shop's Facebook page and says commenters have been left convinced it is the work of Banksy.

Ms McLoughlin believes her barbers was chosen as the location for the artwork due to it being on a busy road where there is a lot of traffic.

Banksy is known to confirm his artworks via social media, so we will have to see if he does in fact claim responsibility for the piece.

A Banksy work on a London Underground tube, highlighting the spread of coronavirus in July 2020 (Image: PA).