MODELLING a stripy all-in-one bathing suit and a curly moustache, Horatio is the picture of a Victorian gentleman.

But he is in fact a giant Snowdog known as the Bathing Beauty which you can find in East Street until November 27. Judith Berrill’s design honours the gentleman’s bathing suits of the time, brought in to stop them bathing naked, and celebrates Brighton Swimming Club – the oldest in the country.

The 57-year-old artist said: “I thought this would be a really fun way to look at the history of Brighton as a seaside resort.”

Judith’s design takes over the front page of today’s Argus in celebration of the Snowdogs by the Sea public art trail.

Mark Iremonger, chief executive of digital marketing agency iCrossing which sponsors the Snowdog, said: “Horatio the Bathing Beauty is a fine Snowdog that harks back to an era of gentlemen’s clubs and woolen one piece swimsuits. iCrossing is as delighted to support Martlets Hospice in this great event, as it is to see the back of male-only clubs and woolen one piece swimsuits.”

The Argus:

Today's front page

Patch – The Unfinished Quilt is the second sculpture designed by Judith which stands overlooking New Steine gardens.

This pooch honours the memory of her mother Lorna and her lifelong bid to finish a family quilt which was started in the 1950s before Judith was born but stayed in a drawer for most of her childhood. Lorna died in 2010 aged 75 and was cared for at a hospice in Warwickshire.

Judith said: “She used to say ‘I’ll finish that one day’ but never did.  She was great sewer and made lots of clothes for me and my sisters on her Singer sewing machine and in her later years did some amazing cross stitch pictures.  I now have the bit of quilt and wanted to finish it on the Snowdog so the design replicates the 50s fabrics in the quilt – some of which I recognise as scraps from my Mum’s dresses and skirts. I think she would be proud of this – she was grateful for the care from her hospice and would be pleased the quilt is now finished. I also liked the idea of the icy Snowdog being wrapped up and cosy in the warm quilt.”

The Argus:

Judith designed this image of Patch tucked under his quilt having a snooze especially for The Argus

Brighton and Hove Hotel Association sponsored the design. Chairman Jeremy Ogden said: “I think it’s fantastic, it’s in a great location and the idea of the cosy quilt links to our hotels offering a comfortable night sleep.”

The 50 hotels in the association will hand out trail maps to guests and Drakes Restaurant is offering £1 donations to the cause from dishes on its breakfast menu and a special Snowdogs cocktail.

Both the giant dogs were moved into Judith’s home so she could paint them.

Judith, who has a degree in fine art, said: “Getting them into my living room was quite an experience. Watching TV there was this feeling of them looking at you. They took me hours and hours to finish – about five weeks and sometimes 11 or 12 hours a day, particularly towards the deadline. It was lovely to see them in position once there were finished.

“I’ve always been interested in art. I graduated in the 1980s from Leeds University, I’ve also had work as a book illustrator but then had a career in human resources. I was very much encouraged by a neighbour to get back into art and I’m so pleased I did and to take part in this wonderful project.”