Designs for a city landmark memorial to honour the victims of HIV/AIDS have been unveiled.

The public has today been invited to comment on the three very different models to decide which will win pride of place on Brighton's New Steine or seafront.

The creations include a wooden pagoda model by Jack Dickson, a sculpture of two intertwined male torsos by Romany Mark Bruce and a brightly lit digital and tile installation by Ben Trill.

Brighton and Hove City councillor and memorial patron Paul Elgood suggested the city create a fitting tribute to its 470 known victims and their families and friends to mark the 20th anniversary of the year the disease was first diagnosed.

He said: "It seems the right time to mark the anniversary. I think relatives and friends want a place to focus their memories and thoughts about the people that have been lost.

"It's very much a place of remembrance. On the other hand it's about a community coming together and ongoing promotion of the issues in terms of education and awareness."

Coun Elgood formed a fundraising committee of five people in December last year to fund the memorial. Since then they have raised more than £17,000 from a formal dinner at Stanmer House and through events at clubs and pubs in the city.

Plans were discussed with HIV/AIDS related charities including The Brighton Beacon Trust, Terrence Higgins Trust and Brighton Cares. Brighton Cares also donated £5,000 to the memorial.

Artists were invited to put forward proposals for the final art piece in June this year. Coun Elgood said: "When you're doing a community-led project like this we get a diverse range of proposals. That's what's so good about it. I'm very excited about the range submitted. I think we're developing something quite special that will become a land mark in years to come."

While the idea of a memorial received huge public backing when 1,000 people signed a petition in its favour last year, not everyone has been impressed by the designs.

Gay life coach Rob Anthony of Hangleton, Hove, described the three shortlisted designs as "monstrosities". The 40-year-old said Mr Dickson's pagoda design looked more like a place to store rubbish bins and bikes than a place of contemplation. He said: "In a city with a reputation for it's grandeur this little number looks more like a bus shelter than a monument.

"One other choice is to have a large garish wall clad with tiles and flashing lights. Visually this construction would look like towerblock cladding with lights and tiles on. My guess is that the council would have to pay for it's long-term maintenance and the electric bill. An environmental liability and an eyesore."

Voting on the final design began on Monday and closes on September 21. To register your vote go to www.realbrighton.com/aidsmemorial