Gallery owner John Brandler paid a six-figure sum for Season's Greetings, which appeared on the walls of Ian Lewis' garage in December.

After months of planning, engineers used a crane to lift the 4.5 tonne mural on to a lorry in front of crowds.

It was then transported about a mile away to the Ty'r Orsaf building.

Mr Lewis found owning such a famous Banksy stressful and although glad to see it gone, he said he was "proud" of the outcome.

"It's been life changing," Mr Lewis said, reflecting on the past six months. "It's been a real mix; it's been a pleasure, it's been a pain, it's been exciting, it's been stressful."

Workers prepare to move the artwork from the lorry

The lorry carrying the piece made its way through Port Talbot

The crane lifts the artwork off the lorry

The image had appeared on two sides of the garage in December, one depicting a child enjoying snow falling - the other side revealing it was a fire emitting ash.

"Whether you are for or against the steel works here - and personally I worked there for 28 years - I think people from Port Talbot feel passionate about the Banksy," Mr Lewis added.

"I don't think I'll miss it, but I probably will pop in and visit it. I'm pretty proud of the outcome to be honest with you."

Contractors spent Tuesday securing the wall before it was removed on Wednesday

Gallery owner John Brandler hopes the new gallery will bring 150,000 visitors to Port Talbot each year

Essex-based Mr Brandler said he was feeling confident the move would go to plan, but realised people would be watching closely for any disasters or further stunts by the artist.

"If anything goes wrong, yes it's going to make it 100 times more famous, but [Banksy] has already done that stunt," said Mr Brandler, referring to an artwork that self-destructed after auction.

"This isn't one that's going to burst into flames, it's not one that's going to get shredded."

 Mr Brandler said the artwork was unique to Port Talbot and should remain

Mr Brandler said he believed the mural was capable of attracting up to 150,000 visitors to the town each year and remains committed to keeping it in Port Talbot.

"Before, when you looked over at the artwork you were seeing the pollution coming out of the chimneys behind us - that's why it belongs here," he explained.

"It wouldn't look the same in the Tate gallery, or a gallery in Mayfair, or New York or Paris. I felt it belonged here."

Mr Brandler said discussions were ongoing about the gallery becoming an international street art museum.