An investigation was under way today in to the cause of a devastating fire on Brighton's famous Palace Pier.

Dozens of people had to be evacuated from the popular tourist attraction when a "spectacular" fire broke out.

No casualties were reported in the blaze, which was fought by ten crews from the East Sussex and West Sussex brigades.

Eyewitnesses told of "spectacular" flames leaping 20ft to 30ft in the air.

Clare Wedger, a spokeswoman for the 103-year-old pier, said: "The fire started in the ghost train which was located in the funfair. It has been completely destroyed and there has been some damage to two other rides."

She said there did not appear to be any structural damage to the pier but that a thorough check would be carried out today before they could decide whether to open to the public.

The Noble Organisation bought the pier in the Eighties after it had fallen into decay after years of falling popularity.

Since then it has spent millions on upgrading the pier, now controversially renamed the Brighton Pier, and introduced a number of large funfair rides which have helped turn it into one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country with over 2 million visitors a year.

Last night's blaze is the second disaster to hit Brighton's seafront in a matter of weeks, following the collapse of a large part of the historic West Pier during storms.