An international artist is creating granite sculptures to bring a touch of culture to a housing project in Hove.

Ekkhard Altenburger was recruited by developers Karis to make his mark on Connaught Road in Hove.

They will be close to a flat complex which is currently nearing completion.

Mr Altenburger, 37,was chosen after a competition by Karis, a company keen on including artwork within its schemes.

His work has been widely exhibited and examples are in several European countries including Portugal, Italy and Germany.

Last year, he completed a set of five granite sculptures for the Royal Arsenal Gardens in Woolwich, South London.

Mr Altenburger, who is based in London, has given the two granite sculptures the working title Sediment.

His inspiration came from cycling along the seafront to cliffs at the eastern end of Brighton.

The sculptor said: "Beneath the houses on the cliff face there appears a layer of chalk sediment marked at the top by a fine line of green grass.

"The bottom of the cliff face has been gradually eaten away by autumn and winter storms.

"I vividly remember images of houses on the south coast damaged by such storms.

"The sea gradually eats its way inland and as it does so it reveals the inner structure of a house once occupying this vulnerable stretch of coastline."

In Connaught Road, the western sculpture will be 2.8m high and the eastern one 1.3m.

Mr Altenburger said the western sculpture will bring to life the notion of slicing through a piece of architecture and exposing it.

The eastern piece will continue this line of thought into the earth itself, splitting into three sections.

He added: "The sculptures will act as a significant marker to this specific place."

Karis, with ING, was chosen by the city council last week as preferred bidder for the King Alfred development 400 yards away, where Antony Gormley has been chosen to design a water feature.