Imagine a Victorian church with a giant spike through its spire, or a hotel with its balconies pierced by ornate rings.

In a few months' time, ideas like these will be put into action in Brighton and Hove as part of an ambitious programme of building "adornment.

It is one of the most high-profile projects being undertaken as part of the Where Else campaign for the city to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.

It will involve some of the city's most prominent buildings, including the former Holy Trinity Church in Duke Street, now the Fabrica art gallery, which is expected to be adorned with a giant spike.

Talks are underway with the owners of at least four other city centre buildings.

The decoration, described as jewellery for buildings, is expected to be one of the most eyecatching and original projects of the campaign.

It has even surprised its creators, who never seriously expected to be able to follow it through.

Bill Hackey, chairman of Shoreham-based Tarmount Community Artists (TCA), which is carrying out the project, said: "At the time, we were really playing about with ideas.

"We thought it would be really fun but we did not think it would go ahead.

"When they said they wanted us to take it further we were surprised, delighted and shocked."

The TCA team consists of sculptor Bill, jeweller Mike Redfern and blacksmith Sam Garbutt.

They have also enlisted the help of Sarah Wollerton, a plastics expert from the University of Brighton and structural engineers to help with the installation process.

Bill said: "We want people walking along to stop, look up, smile in shock, then feel their smiles get broader."

In each case, the cost of the jewellery will be met by the campaign and the commissioning organisation.

They will start to appear on buildings in late September.

TCA is also working with various groups to get the community involved in making adornments.

There will be a series of workshops at Fabrica, including one for a special needs group, where participants will either help make large pieces of jewellery to be installed on their organisation's building or smaller pieces to adorn their own houses and flats.

Bill said: "When people see they can be creative, their confidence increases."