How other cities must envy Bristol and wish they had a Banksy of their own in these recessionary times. The elusive graffiti artist’s “Banksy v Bristol Museum” exhibition, which has just closed, is estimated by the city council to have boosted Bristol’s economy by £10m. Its effect on morale has been even greater.

More than 300,000 people visited the exhibition during its 12 weeks, as many as usually visit the museum in a year. Some queued for up to six hours. Hotels, cafés and other local attractions have all done extra trade, with some businesses reporting that their turnover doubled.