TODAY this newspaper announces the biggest charity artwork project the city has ever seen and it is expected to attract visitors in their droves.

The Argus can reveal Snowdogs by the Sea is coming to Brighton and Hove next year.

Inspired by The Snowman and The Snowdog, the popular sequel to the Sussex-based Raymond Briggs' classic book and television adaptation The Snowman, hundreds of thousands of tourists are set to follow a trail of 50 individually designed sculptures of the pooch around the city's streets and parks from September to November.

The 1.5 metre 3D animals will be brought to life by artists before they are sold at auction to raise money for the Martlets Hospice and will follow in the footsteps of other events around the country. Even The Argus has a Newshound Snowdog waiting to be created.

Fatboy Slim - DJ Norman Cook - who lives in Hove, is the first celebrity to back the campaign. His snowdog will take pride of place next to his Big Beach Café in Hove Lagoon.

Speaking to The Argus yesterday he said: "A large, surreal looking dog was always going to do it for me. This is a really fun project, a great way of fundraising and creating works of art - it ticks all the boxes. My wife Zoe and I lost someone close to us in the Martlets Hospice so it is a cause close to our hearts. We love the work they do."

Imelda Glackin, chief executive of the Martlets Hospice, said: "We’re delighted to be part of this extraordinary public art trail, after seeing the success of Wild in Art events like The Big Hoot in Birmingham, it was clear Snowdogs by the Sea was a fantastic opportunity for the Martlets to get involved in an event that makes art accessible to anyone visiting Brighton and Hove. Importantly for the hospice, the trail will also raise vital funds for patient care."

As the official media partner for the event The Argus will report on every aspect, providing readers with all the latest news and information on the project.

Argus editor Mike Gilson said: "This is immensely exciting for our city. The unprecedented success of similar projects elsewhere leaves me in no doubt Snowdogs by the Sea will be just as popular. As well as being great fun, this will - most importantly - support an extremely worthwhile cause."

Children will have the chance to design their own puppy snowdog models for a school trail. These will also be on display around city before being returned to the school as a momento of the event.

Public arts events company Wild Art, which brought Gromit Unleashed to Bristol, is the brainchild behind the event.

Director Charlie Langhorne said: “Our events are designed to bring the enjoyment of public art to everyone while offering new ways for people to explore their local area. We hope businesses in Brighton and Hove will recognise the cultural benefits of sponsoring a snowdog as well as the positives for their community. It will be a fantastic spectacle and is an excellent way to raise vital funds for the hospice."

The event is backed by Snowman Enterprises Ltd. Brand manager Damian Treece said: "We have no doubt this will be an outstanding attraction for visitors to enjoy and we can't wait to see the decorated snowdogs when they are unveiled."

Each will be sponsored by a business, organisations or an individual. Griffith Smith Farrington Webb LLP and Brighton Marina have already been confirmed.

Nadia Cowdrey, partner and head of tax, trusts and estates for the law firm which has offices in Brighton, Henfield and Hassocks, said it was a novel idea and believed it would generate "much needed awareness" for the great work the Martlets does every day.

She added: "As a firm we like to stand out from the crowd and what better way then sponsoring a huge plastic dog - no we aren’t barking mad."

A spokesman for Brighton Marina, as part of the Land Securities group, said it has been involved in a similar project in Norwich and was also delighted to be involved. He hopes Snowdogs by the Sea will be even bigger.