CAMPAIGNERS have forced Liverpool Culture Company to reverse its decision to cover a priceless Banksy after labelling it an eyesore.

There was a public outcry after it was announced the graffiti was being censored to improve the look of the city as it prepares for 24m visitors in its Capital of Culture year.

Council chiefs were left red- faced after online groups and Channel 4 cult hero Justin Lee Collins joined the fight to save the artwork.

Britain’s biggest Banksy adorns The Whitehorse pub on the edge of the city’s China Town on Berry Street and is regularly snapped by tourists.

The then relatively underground artist spent a week on Merseyside daubing various buildings with his tag before he found world-wide fame with his politically charged images.

Bristol-based Banksy has since conquered the art world with his unique urban art exhibitions and counts Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie among his fans.

Banksy was commissioned to paint the derelict pub as part of Liverpool’s world-famous Biennial art programme in 2004.

Ill-informed council chiefs placed the giant rat holding a machine gun in their top 10 grot spots, but took down the hoardings after the public backlash

Meanwhile, event management specialists Purple Revolver, who are hosting an urban art festival this year, have applied for funding to preserve the 20 foot tall Banksy artwork.

Director Amber Tan said: "The Bansky must be preserved.

"It would be easier to touch it up with a lick of paint and protect it against further damage then cover the building up.

"How hard it can it be?

"You always see people stopping to take pictures of it.

"Liverpool should be shouting about the fact that it is home to Britain’s biggest Banksy grafitti – not ashamed about it."

Director of Liverpool Culture Company Kris Donaldson said: "The graffiti and the derelict building it was painted on was considered a grot spot.

"But after considerable feedback from the public, we have decided not to go ahead to cover up the Banksy mural.

"A significant amount of restoration work has already taken place, which has improved the building’s appearance considerably.

"We are planning to talk to the building’s owners to discuss what, if anything, should happen next with the repairs?"