Radical plans to transform decaying sea forts off the Kent coast into an ambitious painted mural can today be revealed.

A team of renowned street artists - headed up by Tristan Eaton from Los Angeles - are planning on spray-painting the Red Sands sea fort, which sits off the coast of Herne Bay and Whitstable.

They will paint the site in a series of murals, which will then be covered in a protective coating to preserve the artwork.

Scroll down for video

Mr Eaton, 37, told KentOnline today: "It’s possibly the most ambitious and craziest mural project in history.

"It is the hardest, most challenging thing I have done in all my life.

"It’s been a passion, I want it to happen safely and I want it to be something everyone is proud of."

VIDEO: Tristan Eaton talks about the mural

Mr Eaton will be joined on the project by street artists Shepard Fairey, Futura 2000, How & Nosm, and The London Police.

They hope to get onto the site in May to set up, before starting painting in the following month.

It is hoped the murals will be complete before the end of June.

The Painted Oceans project - which has been five years in making - will be filmed from start-to-finish by a documentary team.

Mr Eaton added: "Painting murals on the Red Sands Sea Forts pays homage to their beautiful history and almost gives them the parade they deserved, but never got, for their service.

"These forts are a timeless symbol of resistance.

"Whether fighting the tyranny of the Nazis during the Second World War, or fighting censorship in their Pirate Radio days in the 1960s - they've always been on the frontline of defense against oppression.

"This makes them a perfect icon for the spirit of the street art and graffiti movement, and I think it's important share their story with a new generation."

Last year, plans were revealed for a hotel to be built at the site and bosses are still working on their plans.

Developer David Marriot Cooper confirmed today that the hotel plans are progressing, but because no one owns the forts, the street artists are free to do what they like at the site.

Mr Eaton says his team will spend a number of days at the forts at one time.

"There are murals that are massive, but nothing this bizarre..." - Tristan Eaton

Due to tide patterns, they will be unable to return to land daily and will have to sleep in the forts overnight at times.

He said: "This isn’t a giant brand doing this for a TV commercial, this is one artist whose dream it is to make it happen.

"I am employing all the leverage and connections I have to make this happen.

"I can’t think of another mural that was scarier or more difficult.

"There are murals that are massive, but nothing this bizarre. It comes with such a risk that it eliminates anyone who isn’t up to the task."

For a full in-depth feature on the plans, see this week's Herne Bay Gazette and Whitstable Gazette, out on Thursday