A GIANT mural of the Roman god Neptune has been unveiled on the side of the city’s newest neighbourhood.

Inspired by Brighton’s eclectic art scene, Cosmo Sarson’s artwork at the Edward Street Quarter development towers over residents at ten metres high, making it one of the largest murals in the city.

Mr Sarson, who lives in the city, hopes it proves to be a “timeless addition to Brighton’s landmarks”.

He said: “I had been exploring themes of classical mythology in my own artwork and the brief tied in nicely with a Neptune idea I was already working on.

“I had been looking at classical sculpture and the ‘contrapposto’ pose I have used - where the weight is rested upon one leg - is a direct reference to that.

“This period of great art and sculpture depicting the nude human figure is often sexually charged and has obvious undercurrents of homo-eroticism, a level of which remains in this image by design.

“Brighton is a city of sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community and this image is a deliberate and subtle nod to that.”

Mr Sarson thanked the model for the painting, William Monzeer, a two-times British bodybuilding champion who also lives in the city.

“He is already celebrating his newfound celebrity status in Kemp Town,” Mr Sarson said.

The mural imitates the style of an oil painting. Mr Sarson was pleased with the way his brushwork translated on to the ceramic tiles, which are mounted on to laser-cut steel.

It has been installed on an exterior wall at the mixed-use development, which is under construction on the site of the former Amex House.

Developer Socius and Brighton and Hove City Council, in partnership with the local community, commissioned the painter to create the mural after a competitive selection process.

Steve Eccles, director at Socius, said: “Neptune looks set to attract a lot of attention in Brighton and we can’t wait to hear what residents and visitors think of him.

“The brief we set was to celebrate the fact that the area was once a thriving hub for the fishing industry. This first piece is Cosmo’s fantastically creative response to the brief which helps tell this story.

“We’re looking forward to Neptune becoming one of Brighton’s many landmarks and part of the vibrant new neighbourhood we have created. Hopefully Neptune will raise some smiles along the way too.”

Neptune, who is god of the sea, will join Mr Sarson’s Laughing Seagulls mural at Brighton Palace Pier, which also stands ten metres high and features two seagulls with human bodies in striped blue and white deckchairs, laughing and holding hands.

The £120 million redevelopment is inspired by Brighton’s eclectic street scene and will include 168 new homes, with a mix of private and affordable units, and three new public spaces.