The support this graffiti artist received was making the headlines in the East London Guardian ten years ago this week.

A teenager who hit the headlines when Damien Hirst threatened to sue him has been left awestruck after apparently receiving a unique fan letter from his hero Banksy.

Leytonstone artist Cartrain has made a name for himself in the art world in recent years for his elaborate graffiti across London and his parodies of Hirst's works, which ended in a £200 out-of-court settlement between the two in 2008.

But the 18-year-old, who hides his real identity for fear of prosecution from the police, now appears to have received the ultimate accolade after Banksy – arguably one of the world's most famous living artists – apparently sent him a signed artwork and a copy of his new DVD in the post.

The package also included a note which said: "Hey [Cartrain's real name], Hope things are going well. Have a big f***ing sticker. B"

Cartrain himself is convinced of its authenticity. He received an email – seen by the Guardian - from Banksy's official website asking for his address, while the handwriting on the note appears to be an exact match of the acclaimed artist's.

He also claims to have been in occasional email contact with Banksy over the years.

He said: “It's really good – he was the one who got me into graffiti art in the first place so it's a big honour.

“Who knows what it might be worth but I would never sell it.

“He also wrote 'Beautiful Leytonstone' on the envelope which was cool. Maybe he's driven through here in the past, or hopefully he might be thinking about coming here soon to do a stencil work.”

Despite his young age Cartrain has received plenty of attention already in his short career.

He faced another legal battle with Damien Hirst in 2009 after being accused of stealing a collection of pencils from one of his exhibits.

The charges were later dropped.

“For me, with my work I hope it will inspire other people to go out there and do their own art, just like how Banksy inspired me,” he said.

“People may think that graffiti looks dirty, but I would say advertising makes the borough look run down more than graffiti does. And when my graffiti gets washed off or painted over that's part of the art too. It all depends how you look at it.”

The teenager, who is doing a foundation art degree at a college outside the borough, is currently in the middle of a new photographic project taking photographs of derelict buildings, including the interior of closed-down wards in Whipps Cross Hospital.