Names of Sussex celebrities, including Chris Eubank, Derek Jameson and Des Lynam, are to be plastered over buses as part of a drive to promote Brighton's Hollywood-style Walk of Fame. Thirteen stars will headline on the No7 bus, which runs to and from Brighton Marina, from the 1st October. The launch will coincide with the unveiling of a new information centre at the Marina explaining the £250,000 project, dubbed Sussex's answer to Hollywood Boulevard.

The walkway, which will run the whole length of the Marina, will feature the inscribed names of 45 stars linked with Brighton and is expected to become a major tourist attraction. It's opening has been delayed to Autumn 2000 to coincide with the completion of a new £20 million waterfront development. The information centre is being opened by actor & singer Adam Faith on October 1 to raise public awareness of the scheme.

David Courtney, director of the Walk of Fame, said "There will be a model of the new Marina and information on the celebrities. On the walls of the portable cabin will be caricatures of some of the stars. The walk has been delayed for another year so it's important to keep up the momentum". A further 170 nominations for celebrities to be featured on the boulevard have flooded in from members of the public, with more arriving at the Walk of Fame office every day. Mr Courtney said he had been astounded by the calibre of the suggestions, including Charlie Chaplin and Charles Dickens.

The names of 13 of the 45 stars, who have been chosen from the world of sports, journalism, radio, film, business and pop, will be painted on to Brighton & Hove bus company vehicles. They are Sully Gunnell, Norman Wisdom, Dora Brygan, Leo Sayer, Dusty Springfield, Derek Jameson, Annie Nitingale, Des Lynam, Alan Weeks, Anita Roddick, The Who, Lord Attenborough and Chris Eubank.

Claire Hu
The Argus