This is the memorial which is set to commemorate Aids victims in Brighton and Hove.

Sculptor Romany Mark Bruce's intertwined male torsos has been chosen as the favourite of three shortlisted works to remember the 470 known victims of Aids and mark the 25th anniversary of the year Aids was first diagnosed.

The piece, which will now be turned into a final design, will be placed in a place of "reflection and remembrance" in the city - possibly the New Steine area.

It received 76 per cent of votes cast by members of the public on the Real Brighton website.

The Argus also ran a poll which revealed 62 per cent of people were in favour of the project.

Simon Burgess, the chairman of the Aids Memorial Consultation Group, said: "There is plenty more work to do on the technical side but I'm so pleased the community has spoken in support of a memorial and for one concept in particular.

"It's terrific to see this bottom-up approach enthusing people - well done to all those who raised the money and have put so much time and effort into this project, not least the three design proposers."

Brighton and Hove city councillor Paul Elgood said: "It has been an exciting process and we believe that Romany Mark Bruce's design will provide the basis for the project to move to the commissioning stage.

"There is considerable development work still to be done as we were only picking a concept at this stage.

"We would like to thank all three artists for their ideas and creative thinking.

"Above all we would like to thank people for taking the trouble to vote. There is no doubt that this project has captured the community's imagination and I think we are on track to produce something very special."

The design was favoured ahead of a wooden pagoda model by Jack Dickson and a brightly lit digital and tile installation by Ben Trill.

Brighton and Hove City Council has already indicated it will look favourably on the project. It will be asked to grant planning permission later this year.

Paula Murray, the head of the council's Arts and Creative Industries unit, said: "We congratulate Brighton and Hove Aids Memorial Group on their success in raising the funds for the memorial and such a degree of positive public profile around their proposal.

"This memorial is proposed for a public place in a designated conservation area in the city.

"As such there are a number of detailed issues the council will need to resolve in partnership with the group before seeking planning permission.

"We are confident we can work with the group, responding to the clear mandate from the public to establish this memorial, in developing sufficiently robust and appropriate designs for the proposed site."

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