Best-selling author Peter James will have his own giant snail as part of a city-wide art event.

The crime writer, who was born in Brighton, is sponsoring one of 50 snails in a sculpture trail this autumn.

Brighton and Hove charity Martlets is staging Snailspace, this year’s answer to 2016’s Snowdogs by the Sea.

Mr James participated in Snowdogs by the Sea, the charity’s first art trail.

Now he is celebrating his 14th novel in the Roy Grace series, Dead If You Don’t, by teaming up with artist Mik Richardson to create a design based on characters from his Roy Grace series.

Mr James’s snail is likely to be called Nee-Nor, to mimic a police siren, or Dead Slow.

The snail’s design is based on a police car, with “D3AD 5LOW” number plates, lights on his head, a black uniform with a cap and boom mic, a safety belt, carbon fibre trims and police markings.

He will also feature neon colour flashes to tie in with the current design of Peter James’s books.

Hidden around his body will be clues to a puzzle for visitors to solve.

The giant mollusc will be stationed at the entrance to Brighton’s Palace Pier.

Mr James said: “The Snowdogs campaign was a brilliantly innovative and hugely fun event, which raised an enormous amount for one of our city’s finest institutions, Martlets.

“The residents of Brighton and Hove are fortunate to have this amazing hospice, it is a truly wonderful and caring place with some of the loveliest and most devoted staff I’ve ever met anywhere.

“And, as it is dependent on fundraising for much of its running costs, I’m delighted to be able to get involved in another art trail and I love the idea of a giant snail.

“I can’t wait to see the design take shape and my fans interacting with it on the pier. I feel very honoured and thrilled to be part of this.”

Imelda Glackin, CEO at the Martlets in Hove, said: “Peter James is an invaluable supporter of the Martlets and we’re absolutely delighted to announce his involvement in our Snailspace campaign.

“We are humbled by his tireless commitment to us and his passion for articulating the importance of end of life care. His profile, within the city and far beyond, means he lends our campaign significant promotional opportunities and we’re so looking forward to working with him again.”

l Turn to pages 16 and 17 for an extract from Peter James’s latest novel.