THOUSANDS of Snowdog lovers queued up to say goodbye to the loveable models.

More than 6,000 tickets were sold for the festive-themed farewell which opened yesterday at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange.

Fans of all ages poured into the room in Church Street to take last minute pictures and admire the unique designs one final time before the giant sculptures go under the hammer at auction on Tuesday. The 43 models from the Snowdogs by the Sea art trail were joined by 22 Snowpuppies decorated by Sussex school pupils for the event in aid of The Martlets hospice.

Visitors also lined up to buy Snowdog merchandise on sale at the event which continues today, including miniature figurines and souvenir guides.

Emelia Statham, eight, of Brighton, said: "It's really cool. I think I would like to see them back in Brighton next year because they are really famous. My favourite is Lola, I like her outfit. I went on the trail and found a few but it is nice to see them all in one room."

She was at the event with her mother Helena who added: "We have loved the trail and we have been really sad to see them disappear from the streets."

Children were seen rushing around the room hugging and petting as many of the creatures as possible before their 45 minute time limit was up.

The Snowdogs trail is raising money for The Martlets hospice.

Barbara Powell, whose husband John was on The Martlets' board of trustees for more than 40 years, came to see the dogs with her grandchildren May, nine, and Annie, three.

Mrs Powell said: "This event is very special to us because of our involvement with the charity. I think it has been a wonderful and brilliant trail."

Sarah Harvey, project manager for The Martlets, said the support for the project has been overwhelming.

She added: "It's been a brilliant atmosphere. There have been some real Snowdog fans. It's been great for families and people of all ages who were busy yesterday picking their favourites together. I've seen a lot of smiles and there has been so much positivity around this."

Susi Doherty, owner of photography company Vervate which has supported the campaign and sponsored Roodle, the white, fluffy Snowdog, added: "We've become very emotionally attached to our Snowdog and to the charity over the last year. It's awesome to see what a success it has been. As a business it has been great getting to know other companies by taking part in a charity project which is completely different."

The Argus is the official media partner for the Wild in Art project in aid of the hospice.

Click here to read our interview with celebrity auctioneer Tim Wonnacott, who is leading the Snowdog sale tomorrow night. 

A LASTING SNOWDOG MEMORY

MINIATURE figurines and glossy souvenir guides are just two items of special Snowdog merchandise still on sale after the trail in the run up to Christmas.

They can be bought in The Martlets hospice shops in Church Street and London Road, Brighton, alongside other Snowdog-themed gifts like fluffy cuddly toys, notebooks, aprons, postcards and badges. Figurines can also be bought online at snowdogarttrails.co.uk where Snowdog fans can join a collectors club for offers and discounts. A percentage of all sales is donated to The Martlets.