A replica of HMS Victory, a family of meerkats and 8,760 members of the public are in the running to stand on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square.

They are among the six proposals for the next commission for the empty plinth unveiled today.

Some of the biggest names in British art are bidding for the chance to follow Thomas Sch¸tte and his Model For A Hotel on to the vacant spot.

Yinka Shonibare has suggested Nelson's ship in a bottle with sails made in textiles from Brixton market. The piece, sitting alongside Nelson's column, would reflect the story of multiculturalism in London, he said.

Artist Tracey Emin wants the meerkats, popular stars of many a BBC natural history series, saying: "Whenever Britain is in crisis or, as a nation, experiencing loss (for example, after Princess Diana's funeral), the next programme on television is Meerkats United."

Antony Gormley, creator of the Angel Of The North, is suggesting the plinth is occupied 24 hours a day by volunteer members of the public who would each stand for an hour. It would encourage "consideration of diversity, vulnerability and the individual in contemporary society".

The other contenders include Jeremy Deller, who wants to present the remains of a vehicle that has been destroyed in an attack on Iraqi civilians.

Another anti-war protest comes from the artist Rob & Roberta Smith - the professional name of Patrick Brill - who wants an illuminated peace sign powered by the sun and the wind.

Anish Kapoor has suggested five concave mirrors positioned to turn the world upside down and reflect the sky down to earth.

Sandy Nairne, chairman of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, said the ideas "demonstrate why this is one of the most high-profile public art programmes in the UK".

The Fourth Plinth Programme is funded by the Mayor of London and Arts Council England.

The models are to go on display at the National Gallery and the winner will be announced in the spring and installed next year.

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