A STREET art-inspired Snowdog is spreading the word about a bus tour of a charity arts trail.

Blot the Dog, who will take up his post outside Churchill Square shopping centre on Saturday, is urging visitors to book on board the open top bus to visit him and his pooch pals on the Snowdogs by the Sea trail.

He is keeping his identity secret until the trail officially launches at the weekend but agreed to allow a sneak peak of his new coat in The Argus today.

He is one of 44 giant individually decorated sculptures which will pop up on the trail around Brighton and Hove until the end of November to raise money for the Martlets hospice.

Jason McQuillen, better known as the artist iownthisart, is behind Blot's design.

The 30-year-old, of Brighton, is renowned for his street art in the city. His black and white cartoon style can be recognised on a bus celebrating the best of the city for the fringe and the Mileoak Primary School bus which has a science theme featuring a giant solar system. His work is also regularly scene in pubs and on buildings across the city.

He said: "The design is based on giant lollipops - you see so many around the city so it was a great thing to focus on. I absolutely loved decorating the Snowdog and I can't wait to see the trail, it's the sort of fun thing I just love."

Brighton and Hove Buses is sponsoring the dog and running the tour on October 3.

Victoria Garcia, the company's accessibility and communities officer who is organising the tour, said: "We’re really excited to be part of the Snowdog trail. We think people are going to love our Blot the Dog. Like us, Jason is a big supporter of the Martlets, so it’s great we could all work together on this project. It’s going to be a fantastic trail."

The open tour bus tour is a two hour trip. It leaves Brighton Marina, where there is free parking, at 4.30pm. The guided tour provide interesting historical information about the city and the Snowdog sculptures, taking in 36 of the 44 Snowdogs on the trail. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £5 for children which includes a soft drink and snack. Proceeds will be donated to the Martlets. Buy tickets on 01273 747455 or email hello@snowdogsbythesea.co.uk.

The Argus is the official media partner of the Wild in Art Snowdogs by the Sea project.

Factfile

ARTIST Jason McQuillen is better known as iownthisart.

His work can be seen at the Hop Poles pub in Middle Street, Brighton, Hotel Pelirocco, in Regency Square, the Earth and Stars pub, in Windsor Street, Presuming Ed coffee house, in London Road and Marwood coffee house in Ship Street. He also decorated several houses in Orange Row.

The 30-year-old was born and bred in Brighton and is related to Portslade aviation industry stalwart George Miles who has a Brighton and Hove buses named after him.

Grab your ultimate guide to Snowdogs by the Sea

DO not miss our special Snowdogs by the Sea supplement out on Saturday. This is your ultimate guide on how to take part in the charity arts trail featuring all the information you need including a map, quiz, facts, an introduction to all the sculptures and the stories behind some of them. Visit The Argus stand at Brighton Railway Station from 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday to pick up your copy, get your hands on a special Snowdog trail survival kit goody bag and meet our Snowdog correspondent Flora Thompson. She wants to know what you think of the trail, which is your favourite dog and what you love about Brighton. From every sale at The Argus stand at the station, 20p will be donated to The Martlets Hospice.