Thousands of people have toured the West Pier listening to tales from Brighton's Victorian heyday and plans for the structure's restoration.

While tour guides have regaled visitors with seafront stories from the past, one memento has remained hidden and forgotten.

Tour guide Michael Robins was stunned to discover a plaque commemorating the electrification of Brighton seafront in 1893 right under his nose.

The metal plate was attached to a lamp post next to where the tours usually start and end.

It had been covered over by a flyposter but the original bronze-coloured metal, although faded, was peeping through.

Mr Robins, 54, said: "The poster had at some time covered the whole plaque but it was wearing away and I just noticed what was underneath.

"It was made of either brass, bronze or copper. I started picking the remains of the poster off and you can read all the words now."

The plaque reads: "Borough of Brighton. The inauguration ceremony of lighting the front by electricity was performed by Miss Ewart, Mayoress of Brighton, switching on the light from this column on September 16, 1893".

The West Pier itself, which was built by Eugenius Birch in 1866, was electrified in 1900, seven years after the promenade.

Mr Robins, a retired air steward who has been giving tours of the pier for several months, explained that previously the pier had been gas-lit.

He added: "On the tours, we give the history and the architecture and explain how the pier would have looked. I could speak for 24 hours about it.

"But none of us had spotted the plaque before. After I told the other guides, they started to use it in their tours."

Rachel Clark, the pier's general manager, said: "Mike had never noticed it before - in fact none of us had.

"It is on a lamp post fairly central to the decking leading out.

"It had not been polished up and we all missed it."

Mr Robins said he was keen to buff it up so more people would notice it but thought he ought to seek the permission of Brighton and Hove City Council, which owns the plaque.

Council spokesman Alan Stone said: "It sounds like a fascinating discovery marking an important event in Brighton's history.

"I am sure we would be very happy if the West Pier Trust wishes to restore it."

Tours of the West Pier are held between Mondays and Fridays at 1.30pm and 3pm. On Saturdays and Sundays they take place at noon, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.15 pm.

Tickets cost £10, although concessions are available. For bookings, call 01273 207610.