BRIGHTON and Hove is set to cash in on the Snowdogs by attempting to replicate some cult projects from around the country.

Gromit Unleashed in Bristol two years ago brought in 1.18 million extra visitors over a ten week period, when 900,000 visited especially to see the sculptures, and hotel occupancy was up eight per cent on the previous year.

Alan Robins, deputy chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s economic development and culture committee, is hoping for a similar success in Sussex.

He said: “I think it’s a fantastic idea and anything that brings more people into the city has got to be a good thing.

“I know it’s been a success around the country with similar projects and Hurstpierpoint did the same sort of thing a few years back.

“I went to that for a look, so it shows it works.

“It would be great for the traders if we can hit figures like Bristol.

“They have a hard enough time of it as it is so any boost for them would be a welcome one.”

One of the biggest benefits seen in other cities has been tourists visiting places a little off the beaten track.

Nick Mosley, director of Brighton and Hove Food Festival and vice chairman of the Brighton and Hove Tourism Alliance, believes visitors may soon be discovering gems that would have otherwise gone unearthed.

He said: “A one-off, unique art trail is a great opportunity to signpost people to the various districts of the city that they may otherwise not casually visit or stumble upon - St James's Street, St George's Road in Kemp Town, Brighton Marina, London Road, Church Road, George Street, Blatchington Road – I could go on.”

Nick Bond, head of tourism at Visit Norwich, was at the helm when tourists went ape in 2013 for Go Go Gorillas and this year dragons were strewn across the city in a Snowdog-style scheme.

He said: “You can see by virtue of the number of people downloading the app and the map that they are having the desired effect with the extra volume of visitors.

“I had wondered whether it would be picked up by anyone outside the city, but it has definitely had a further reach.

“There was a question that went out to ask, “Did you or did you not visit the city because of the dragons and there was a high number of people saying they did.

“So it’s a neat idea for Brighton and Hove.”

John Hirst, chief executive of Destination Bristol, said there was “tremendous publicity” around his city’s event and that businesses “reaped the benefits” of the droves of visitors.