THE first two of a series of colourful giant snails to take over Brighton and Hove next year have found a temporary home.

The Martlets’ Disco and Feeling Groovy snails have moved into the lobby area of the hospice, in Wayfield Avenue, Hove, and will stay there until summer next year.

According to staff, they have already been brightening up the place, bringing smiles to nurses and patients alike.

Sarah Harvey, project manager of the Snailspace campaign, said: “We had such a brilliant reaction when the snails were launched last month.

“We had three painted by artists already so we thought it would be a good opportunity to show them off to the staff at The Martlets.

“They really bring a smile to people’s faces.”

The snails follow the success of The Martlets’ fundraising Snowdogs by the Sea campaign last year.

The hospice announced in October its plans to launch a trail of snails across Brighton and Hove, with the campaign tag Be More Snail.

The Disco and Feeling Groovy snails are the first in a series of at least 40 that will come out of their shells and be distributed across the city from September next year, the result of a partnership between the hospice and Wild In Art.

But the finished three needed a home and it made no sense to keep them away from the limelight.

Ms Harvey said: “What’s really nice is the idea of the snail – to slow down and take more time.

“It’s really been resonating with people coming through our doors – everyone agrees it’s so important to just take the time while you have it.”

The Martlets and Wild In Art aim to emphasise people slowing down their lifestyles and taking more note of the present through the Snailscape campaign.

Imelda Glackin, chief executive at The Martlets, said: “The snail sculpture resonates wonderfully with the work we do. In this fast-paced city it’s often hard to remember to slow down and appreciate the things in life that make us smile.

“The strikingly painted snails across our city will be a constant reminder to take a moment to enjoy the time we have with the people we share our lives with.”

The snails were launched at the Theatre Royal by Fatboy Slim and, like the Snowdogs, will be individually painted by local artists.

It is hoped the campaign will follow closely in the footsteps of the successful Snowdogs by the Sea, which raised £310,000 for the Martlets and contributed in excess of £10 million to the local economy by bringing in thousands of tourists.

For more information, visit www.snailspacebrighton.co.uk.