The search is on to find artists capable of creating eye-catching work worthy of a prime seafront location.

Hove Civic Society has issued a call to artists to submit sculpture proposals for the Hove Plinth project.

The charity wants to build a plinth in King’s Esplanade which can host regularly changing pieces of art in a project inspired by the Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square.

The society was granted planning permission for the stone plinth at the foot of Grand Avenue by Brighton and Hove City Council in April 2013 and has been busy finding funding for the project.

It is hoped that the first artwork will be completed and on the plinth by spring 2017. Artists have until May 4 to submit their proposals for the first artworks before a shortlist of ten proposals is drawn up.

The shortlisted ideas will then be publicly exhibited to get residents’ views before a selection panel will interview shortlisted artists and select three works.

The final three selected will then receive £2,500 to produce a scale model which will be used to find sponsorship and funding for the sculpture.

The society’s call to artists is supported by £10,000 in grants from the Arts Council and National Lottery, while members of the public have pledged an additional £10,000.

Prospective applicants are being encouraged to consider both “modern and historical associations with the promenade” when designing their sculptures and will also need to comply with weight restrictions and be no taller than 5.5m.

The plinth will be lit at night with wi-fi connectivity to create an inter-active and educational experience.

It is expected that each selected sculpture will be displayed for a year but could be found permanent sites somewhere else in the city once their seafront stay has come to an end.

Lead project manager Karin Janzon said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for artists to come up with imaginative ideas for new sculptures in Hove and for the public to be part of the selection process.”

Sir Timothy Sainsbury, patron of the scheme and former Hove MP, said: “I welcome the initiative by Hove Civic Society to bring public art to the Hove promenade.

“It will enable Hove residents and visitors to see sculpture displayed in a wonderful seaside location.”

Interested artists should visit hoveplinth.org.uk