Snowdog fever is grabbing hold of Brighton and Hove - with the biggest charity arts trail the city has ever seen set to descend on its streets later this year. Snowdog correspondent Flora Thompson met the man behind the project to find out how he came up with the idea.

A TRUCK full of giant, brightly decorated animal sculptures in tow, Charlie Langhorne trundled up the motorway to a meeting.

The next minute he was being mentioned by DJ Chris Evans on his radio show when a listener took a picture of the amusing sight.

This is what the director of Wild in Art loves about his job. It is full of fun and intrigues everyone.

His office in Albourne near Hurstpierpoint is groaning under the weight of rows and rows of differently designed miniature models of Gromit as well as gorillas, owls and many others denoting a score of hugely successful art projects in different cities across the world over the years.

The trend began in Zurich in 1998 when a herd of giant, colourful cows descended on the streets. Later, sports executive and former army recruit Charlie turned the corner of a London street to be confronted with one of the 185 sculptures as the exhibition moved to the UK. He was immediately inspired and decided he would like to replicate the idea in other cities in this country and across the world.

And so Wild in Art was born and the rest is giant, animal sculpture history.

The company's first event - Go Superlambananas! - was in 2008 in Liverpool. The sculptures - a cross between a banana and a lamb - were inspired by a Japanese artist's design to comment on the dangers of genetic engineering. The designs linked to the city's history which was heavily influenced by sheep and bananas as common cargo in the docks.

Since then there has been Rhino Mania in Chester, Wild Dolphins in Aberdeen in 2014, The Big Hoot in Birmingham last year, and the mascot trail as part of the London 2012 Olympics. Possibly the most memorable was Gromit Unleashed in Bristol in 2013, of which the popularity and charitable proceeds was said to be unprecedented.

"To sum up its effect, it sounds cheesy, but it is 'smile.' That's what happens when you turn a corner and bump into a giant, colourful animal," Charlie said.

"Each event takes around 18 months to bring together. We are a commercial organisation but we are immensely proud of what the events achieve; in raising money for charity, in making art accessible, for its educational benefits, by celebrating fantastic art and by bringing the community together. As the excitement of the project builds it becomes a topic of conversation that everyone can share. We hope we get some funding but it is underwritten by the private sector so it is something for everyone to enjoy at no cost to the public."

With a mother born and bred in Brighton and a father from Chichester, Charlie has wanted to put on an event in Sussex for some time.

He was approached by Channel 4 and Penguin, who own the rights to the Snowdog character, and he found this year was the right time for Brighton. Snowdogs-by-the-Sea, a pack of more than 40 decorated giant pooches, will take to the streets from September this year in aid of the Martlets Hospice. The Argus is the official media partner for the event.

And on top of the Snowdogs, the elephant Herd of Sheffield, the lion Pride of Paisley and Scottish comic character Oor Wullie’s bucket trail in Dundee are just some of the other events the company is working on this year.

Charlie said: "The Snowdogs are huge fun and we are working with hugely talented artists. It is about encouraging people to spend time with their family, following a free trail, and becoming a tourist in their own city as well as to welcome visitors. For example, I live near Brighton but have not yet been to the Royal Pavilion.

"This will be in my own back yard, I will be calling on friends to get involved and equally there will be pressure for it to go down well."

For information visit wildinart.co.uk.

Time is running out to support project

THERE is just six weeks left to sponsor a snowdog.

THE Martlets Hospice has joined forces with events company Wild in Art to host the Snowdog by the Sea trail in Brighton and Hove.

Wild in Art is known for putting together popular trails of uniquely decorated 3D sculptures of animals and other subjects across the world.

Some 40 uniquely designed 1.5 metre Snowdog sculptures will be on display throughout the streets and parks of the city from September to November.

Each one will be sponsored by a business and an artist will be commissioned to design a theme for each one.

Visitors can take part in a walking trail around the city to find and photograph each of the Snowdogs.

Puppy sculptures will also be painted by school children as part of an education programme planned to complement the event.

At the end of the trail, all the Snowdogs will be auctioned off to raise funds for the hospice to provide care and support to those affected by life-limiting illnesses.

Some 30 businesses have already got behind the project, including The Argus. The Martlets are on the hunt for more to sponsor sculptures for £5,000.

Artists can submit their designs for the dogs by April 1. The Argus is particularly looking for an artist with an inventive design for its Newshound snowdog.

Anyone hoping to take part can call Sarah Harvey on 01273 718797 or by emailing sarah.harvey@martlets.org.uk or download a pack at snowdogsbythesea.co.uk.