Work to rebuild a fire-ravaged Victorian pier will begin in early summer after millions of pounds were secured to help revive the battered structure.

The Grade II-listed Hastings pier has stood as a burnt-out eyesore since it was almost destroyed in an arson attack in October 2010, following years of decay.

Nothing was done by its then Panama-registered owner to restore the structure, which was proclaimed as the “peerless pier” after opening in 1872.

The lack of effort led Hastings Borough Council to seek a compulsory purchase order so that control of the pier could be handed to a specially set up trust.

Now, following the awarding last year of £11.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards the £13.9 million total cost, rebuilding work could start as early as June.

Simon Opie, of the Hastings Pier Charity, said: “We are just finalising the paperwork, which will allow us to get the go-ahead from the Heritage Lot tery Fund to start work.
 

“We expect to get this sorted shortly, allowing work to start in earnest, we hope, as early as June.

“Indeed, we have now started recruiting our project team, so that we can hit the ground running as soon as we get the final go-ahead.”

Peter Chowney, Hastings Borough Council’s regeneration councillor, said: “It’s only four months since the HLF agreed their £11.4 million grant, and the pier trust have done very well to raise most of the match-funding they need so quickly.”

Up to 95% of the pier, which had been closed since 2006, was damaged in the arson attack in the early hours of October 5, 2010.

Designed by Eugenius Birch, the pier was originally 910ft long.

In the 20th century it hosted a mix of dancing, slot machines, rifle ranges, bowling alleys, bingo, funfair rides and all-night raves.

It also gained a reputation for stag- ing big-name concerts, with perform- ances from the Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Tom Jones and Cilla Black.