Be more snail is the message of this year’s city-wide art installation.

Martlets, the charity that provides hospice care to those suffering from terminal illness, is returning to the streets of Brighton and Hove with its sculpture project, called Snailspace.

This year, it is molluscs that will be gracing our streets.

Meredith Collins, marketing executive at the Martlets in Hove, said: “Snails resonate beautifully with the work that we do.

“We want people to enjoy the time they have and do the things they love.

“The snails will serve as a constant reminder for people to slow down and enjoy life with the people we share it with.

“Businesses can promote what they do while supporting a charity and taking part in a huge community event.”

There will be 50 strikingly painted giant snails popping up around the city, all sponsored by a different business.

A different artist from Brighton and Hove will be designing and painting each one.

Schools will also be chipping in, with 54 junior snails being designed and painted by them.

The trail, known as the Snailway, will stretch from Brighton Marina to the Hove Lagoon Beach Cafe and up to Preston Park.

The snails will be on display from September 15 to November 18.

There will be events taking place throughout the campaign, including #BeMoreSnail days on June 15 and October 19, and the Snailway Safari, a night-time sponsored walk on October 12.

A selfie challenge will invite people to send in their best photos with the snails on September 26.

Each of the snails will be auctioned off on December 4 to raise money for the Martlets.

The Argus is the official media partner for Snailspace, and we will have our own decorated snail.

In 2016, the charity’s Snowdogs by the Sea trail raised £310,000 through sponsorshop and community fundraising.

More than 350,000 people walked the trail.

The dogs then sold for an average of £8,000 each at auction.

The charity is partnering with celebrities to raise the profile of Snailspace, details of which will be revealed later.

There will be a Snailway Map to follow and a Snailspace smartphone app.

Everyone will be encouraged to think about what snails mean to them.

Ruth Cobb, PR and communications officer at Martlets, said: “On the one hand, being more snail is about embracing fun and creativity.

“On the other, it is about health and wellbeing.”