A permanent public memorial to radical poet Percy Bysshe Shelley is set to be commissioned in his Sussex home town.

It is proposed that the memorial to the Horsham poet will be situated in the centre of the town’s park, near the pond.

The Shelley Memorial Project aims to celebrate and commemorate the life and work of the Romantic poet and his connection with the historical market town.

This year marks 200 years since the death of Shelly at the age of just 29.

David Hide, chairman of the project, said: “We are delighted with the success of our festival and are very pleased to have contributed to an international celebration of the life and work of our great poet in this important anniversary year.

“The extent of the celebration, with events taking place across the globe, highlights just how significant a figure Shelley is and how relevant his work is to our modern times.

“Our aim is to commemorate Shelley’s great art by means of a great public artwork which we want to be a source of pride and inspiration to the Horsham community and a source of interest and enjoyment to visitors to the town.

“The memorial will also celebrate Horsham’s place in our national cultural heritage.”

The Shelley Memorial Project has secured the support of Horsham District Council which has agreed to the installation of the memorial at the centre of Horsham Park.

The council has also ring-fenced funding to support the project.

Horsham District Council cabinet member for leisure and culture Cllr Roger Noel said: “As a council, we are really excited to be supporting the creation of a bespoke memorial to celebrate the life and works of Shelley, one of our most significant Romantic poet, who is world-renowned and such a significant figure in our district.

“At the bicentenary of his untimely death, it is very appropriate that we honour his achievements in poetry.”

Artists can submit expressions of interest until January 31, with four candidates progressing to the next stage of the selection process.