One of Brighton's best known Big Issue sellers has published his poetry online.

Tim Curtin, generally known as Tadg, is a familiar figure in Brighton, where he sells the magazine for the homeless outside the Theatre Royal, in New Road.

He has also for the last ten years offered a series of short humorous poems for sale to passers-by.

The poems are known as ditties and some of his regular customers call him the Dittyman.

Tadg, who comes from Cork in Ireland, has teamed up with Brighton-born cartoonist and illustrator Diz Dymott for their web venture.

Diz's work has appeared in many publications including the Spectator, New Statesman, Punch and The Observer.

He also illustrates short stories and both writes and illustrates books for children.

Tadg and Diz were introduced to each other in the Colonnade Bar in New Road by local writer Jude Redmond.

Tadg said: "Since then, we have had many a drink in this cosy, friendly watering hole."

They are using the web to bring the humorous poems and illustrations to a wider audience.

The web site at www.biggerissue.com/smiles/ gives browsers a welcome to what they call the Dittyzone.

A sample ditty reads:

Some are born to run, others to walk, Some are born to hear, others to talk. Whichever path we choose, Whether we win or lose, Nobody ever gets thru' life without fault.