A £400,000 Banksy mural which depicted pigeons holding up apparent anti-immigration messages was removed by council officials after a complaint that it was racist and offensive.
But the decision has provoked fierce debate between those who say he was just being provocative and those who say he had no business bringing his brand of art to Essex.
Sam Crawford said on the Essex Chronicle Facebook page: "It's art, it's how you interpret it. I don't find it offensive. I think it would have been a great boost to Clacton tourism, they clearly do not understand what it could have done for the area and it's significance.
Julie Hurst added: "Nooooooo.......An original Banksy silenced, but he can come and paint something the council approve off. The action of deleting the piece of art says more than the piece itself. Shame on you Clacton council."
So it appears there are objects (and people) in this county which are more offensive and we've gathered them below
1. 'Offensive' Nazi symbols on County Hall in Chelmsford
An unnamed member of the public has lodged a Freedom of Information request asking why the building was commissioned given the "symbol's negative connotations." It has since been linked to the Masons
2. Daily Mail columnist Liz Jones
The controversial columnist and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant, originally from Rettendon, described Chelmsford as a dull, sepia town
3. The A12 during rush hour
Motorists often complain of the rush hour misery with calls for action to tackle the carriageway now coming from the top
4. The Salvation Army building at the Odeon roundabout in Chelmsford
Some may admire it as a bold archtectural statement but others may consider it's copper plated exterior in a prominent position something of an eyesore, particularly, when the sun's out
5. Paul Worboys
The 47-year-old appeared in court for breaching his Asbo, received when he made repeated complaints about Olly Murs' music in Braintree
6. And on that note, Chelmsford city centre itself on a Friday and Saturday morning
The area outside McDonalds has often been singled out as a place to avoid after a heavy weekend
7. The TOWIE-like Pompadour haircut
The close side shave and high top was made popular by the likes of Joey Essex and the rest of the TOWIE cast, but was banned by one school for contravening its uniform policy
8. Charles Dickens
The novelist once described Chelmsford as the dullest and most stupid spot on the face of the earth on a fleeting visit. Surely that;s a harsh assessment.
9. The Army & Navy roundabout
The less said about the permanently backlogged but crucial Chelmsford junction the better, especially as it has a tendency to flood after heavy rainfall.
