Is this street artist Banksy’s dark version of Disneyland?

HOLIDAYMAKERS in Weston-superMare have spent the past week enjoying their ice creams, walks on the pier and donkey rides – oblivious to the fact that just yards away, Britain’s most renowned street artist appears to have been putting together a secret exhibition.

The site of the old Tropicana lido has been sealed off, with locals told a Hollywood production company was filming.

But it is now understood that guerrilla graffiti artist Banksy – whose true identity remains a mystery – is due to open a show called Dismaland there later this week.

A large pink Disney-style castle, pictured above, could yesterday be seen at the seaside resort, and Banksy – who is from nearby Bristol – has previously used Mickey Mouse in his satirical street stencil art.

Other works of art towering above the hoarding include two petrol tankers bent into a ‘S’ shape by American artist Mike Ross, a huge beach windmill toy, and the figure of a horse built from scaffolding.

Speculation about Banksy’s involvement began to mount when a woman believed to be his manager, Holly Cushing, was spotted at the site.

The woman thought to be Miss Cushing – who is named as an executive producer on Exit Through The Gift Shop, a film about Banksy – was seen chatting to security guards.

Financial records also show that Miss Cushing set up a company called Dismaland Ltd with Simon Durban – the man believed to be Banksy’s accountant – earlier this year.

The exhibition is understood to be opening to the public on Friday, with officials expecting thousands of people to descend on the seaside resort. It is believed to be a satirical and sinister comment on theme parks such as Disneyland, pictured inset.

Locals last night said the attraction could be good news for the town and could ‘revive the fortunes’ of the Tropicana.

In 2008, Banksy was r eportedly ‘unmasked’ as Robin Gunningham, a former public schoolboy from Bristol.

At the time Banksy’s agent refused to confirm or deny the story.

A spokesman for Banksy did not respond for a request for a comment on the new exhibition last night.