Friday was a very sad day for the many people of Brighton and Hove and elsewhere who wished to see the grand old West Pier restored to its former glory.

Some are now saying the pier will never be rebuilt and I am sure a certain organisation is probably rubbing its metaphorical hands with glee.

I think the West Pier should still be rebuilt or refurbished to make it one of the outstanding structures in the city once again and perhaps, just perhaps, it should include amusements and gaming items with the concert facility to assist with the increased building requirement and to draw a wider spectrum of people, some away from the over-water amusement arcade just down the road.

-Michael Ayers, Ellen Street, Brighton