HERITAGE bosses are appealing for information and photographs of lost, stolen or destroyed pieces of public art.

The plea comes as Historic England has warned the country's post-war public art is disappearing before our eyes.

Among the dozens of sculptures, friezes and murals that have been destroyed, sold, lost or stolen over recent decades include two from Sussex.

They hope new information will help uncover missing pieces.

In Brighton William Mitchell's The Spirit of Brighton sculpture was demolished to make way for the new Churchill Square Shopping Centre in 1992.

Build in 1968 the imposing sand-blasted concrete sculpture included sculpted rockery and a water feature.

Standard Life Investments, custodians of the piece, demolished it in 1992 ahead of building works taking place.

The artist, William Mitchell, and the public were not consulted.

Although heritage bosses know what happened to the piece they hope information and new photographs will tell them more about its life.

The second Sussex piece, which has been registered as lost, is the La Primavera sculpture which was last displayed in Copthorne.

Built in1979 the bronze piece was an abstract sculpture made to resemble a seed from a pine cone.

It was commissioned to mark the start of a development of new homes being built by the developer Wates.

The piece was moved by the developer before the houses were sold and it is not clear what has happened to it since.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “Part of England’s national collection of public artworks is disappearing before our eyes. Our research is only the tip of the iceberg as it’s almost impossible to trace what has happened to every piece of public art since 1945.

"What we do know is that this art work was commissioned and created for everyone to enjoy, and it should remain accessible to all.

"We’re making efforts to protect the best examples of Post-War public art that still exist, and make sure that it continues to enhance the public realm.

"But we also want to raise awareness of just how vulnerable these works can be and we want the public to help us track down lost pieces.”

Among the other pieces heritage bosses are appealing for information on include a bronze Henry Moore sculpture stolen to order for its scrap value and an abstract steel sculpture by Barry Flanagan in Cambridge that was vandalised beyond repair.

To see a full list of the lost, sold, stolen or destroyed items visit historicengland.org.uk/missingpublicart.

Anyone with information should email outthere@historicengland.org.uk or call 0207 973 3250.