STREET artwork courtesy of a mystery spray-painter has sprung up across a Flintshire town but it has divided opinion within the community.

Pictures, mainly of faces, stuck on signs, electricity boxes and bus stops in Saltney are the work of a local artist who goes by the name Markrobla.

The images are paint on wallpaper, meaning they are not a permanent fixture to Saltney's surroundings but they have still split opinion with residents in Saltney.

Some have launched a petition to save the street art that has been sent to Flintshire Council, while others have complained, leading to the removal of the artwork in some areas by Streetscene.

Little is known of the artist, other than he has also been active in Wrexham and is a sculpture graduate from Cardiff University, having previously attended Yale and Deeside College's of Art.

The mystery surrounding Markrobla and his work has led to one Saltney town councillor referring to him as 'the Saltney Banksy'.

Cllr Shelly Streeter said: ''The art isn't to everyone's taste but its got people talking about Saltney. I hope that Markrobla carries on with his art.

''It's painted on paper which is then applied to various things around the town. There's no damage to property and the pictures will eventually fade and wash away. I love them and people are having great fun spotting them around the town.''

But not everyone in Saltney agrees, Tony Mashford responded on Facebook to one of the pieces of art by saying: ''Sorry but if that's 'art' I'd be glad to see it washed off.''

Others believe it sets a dangerous precedent of double-standards when it comes to dealing with acts of graffiti.

Rob Fernandez said: ''I can see this ending well when people think it's okay to take a trip to Halfords and start spray painting everything locally.

''If it's okay for this lad to, then don't complain when others do the same.''

Veronica Gay, County Councillor for Saltney Stonebridge ward, shares these sentiments.

She said: ''If people are going to do art, why don't they go and do something useful with it, like paint the community centre, rather than graffiti bus stops.

''To me it allowing to stay sends a message for people to grab a can of spray paint and go out causing public damage to places.''

But such opinions remain largely in the minority, with the more general reaction being one of positivity as many people believe the artwork adds colour and something different to surroundings.

Markrobla declined to comment.