EASTBOURNE Pier could be painted gold and covered in LED lights after contracts were exchanged yesterday.

Local hotelier Sheikh Abid Gulzar will take over the ownership of the pier after buying it from Cuerden Leisure for an undisclosed fee.

The Argus reported on Wednesday he vowed to make it the best pier in the country, and he has now revealed his big plans.

Meanwhile i360 bosses released stunning new photos of the tower and West Pier already bathed in gold as sunlight captures the two structures.

Mr Gulzar said the whole of Eastbourne Pier will have LED lights on it so "you’ll be able to see it for miles and we’ll have two of the largest Christmas trees in the middle so you’ll be able to see it from way away".

He said: “I’m not going to say anything because it will be in approval with the council, so we might paint it gold, who knows.”

Mr Gulzar, who turned 70 last month, already owns three hotels and a children’s nursery and now he wants to make a big impact on the community.

“The pier has suffered from a lack of love. I want to become its daddy and by that I mean I will look after it with all my love and attention,” he said.

“I am very proud to have bought the pier. I have lived in this country for 50 years and I care passionately about Eastbourne and the people who live here.

“I want to make it the best pier in the country and will put in whatever investment is needed.

“Eastbourne is a wonderful town full of wonderful people and I want the pier to be wonderful too.

“We were all devastated when the big fire hit the pier last summer and it was never going to be easy to recover from that but it has and now I have bought it Eastbourne Pier will flourish in a big way.

“We have massive plans to improve and enhance it, much of which are in the early stages, but make no mistake – Eastbourne Pier will be the talk of the town.”

Contracts were exchanged at 4.40pm last night with a completion date of next Friday.

There were unfounded rumours on social media yesterday that the sale was not taking place.