Hoardings have been erected as work gets under way to remove Banksy's artwork from the side of a house in Margate.

The Valentine's Day Mascara mural, which appeared in Park Place last month, is expected to be fully extracted from the wall next Tuesday.

Teams began the delicate operation on the exterior of the site today.

The process will involve propping the house up while the piece is cut out and removed, ahead of its relocation to Dreamland.

Julian Usher, chief executive of Red Eight Gallery which is dealing with the valuable work, told KentOnline: "We hope the piece will be removed this time next week.

"Today we set up hoardings and started work outside, but we began work inside last week."

After it is removed, the Banksy will be placed between two steel sheets and taken to a conservationist in Faversham, who will make it stable and safe.

They will also design a stand for the art, before it is transported and displayed inside Dreamland.

Mr Usher hopes the artwork, complete with chest freezer, will be ready to go on show to the public between April 7 and 10.

He added: "It will be in Dreamland for at least 12 months, but we are trying to keep it in there for three years.

"There has been a lot of interest in the work from many different parties."

Removal work is described as "very intricate and tricky but relatively simple for the experts" by the gallery CEO.

The appearance of the Banksy piece sparked a lengthy saga, with hordes flocking to the unassuming residential street - before the freezer was taken away by Thanet District Council.

It was then put back again, before being removed a second time by Red Eight Gallery.

It is also thought items placed alongside the work by the elusive artist were stolen.

The value of the piece can not be confirmed yet, but it is thought to be worth several million pounds.