PLANS have been submitted by a toy museum to bring new life to an underpass.

Brighton Toy Museum in Trafalgar Street is working alongside Benedict O'Looney Architects and the Railway Heritage Trust to bring "light and life" to the underpass outside the museum.

They have submitted a planning application to replace the modern brickwork that fills the Victorian arches with glazing, hoping it will regenerate the area and become the "gateway to the North Laine".

The underpass is currently covered by graffiti, old posters and stickers.

Jan Etches, Brighton Toy and Model Museum's general manager, said: "We are keen to use this opportunity to regenerate our end of Trafalgar Street so that visitors to Brighton get a much improved first impression of the city.

"Also draw their attention to Trafalgar Street and the other wonderful North Laine independent traders.

"We hope that everyone gets as excited about this project to improve our community as we are."

The Argus: Plans for the underpass on Trafalgar Street, BrightonPlans for the underpass on Trafalgar Street, Brighton

Brighton and Hove Tourism Alliance and Network Rail are also involved in regeneration proposals, with plans of their own to improve the space beneath Brighton Railway Station's entrance.

Their contribution to the project includes a plan for the removal of the tattered posters and graffiti at the top of Trafalgar Street, replacing it with an attractive new mural instead.

The Railway Heritage Trust has pledged 40 per cent of the structural costs, and with an additional 10 per cent from the Toy Museum, they are already at the halfway mark and are looking for additional partners to help with their match-funding.

Brighton Toy and Model Museum is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

The museum's mission is to bring "endless pleasure to boys and girls of all ages".

Chris Littledale, founder and director, established the museum in 1991 in order to share his love of toys and models.