Hundreds of people have signed a petition backing restoration of the West Pier in Brighton.

It also criticises the Noble Organisation, owners of the Palace Pier, for seeking to obstruct the scheme.

The petition has been raised by Eamon Coyle and Michel Chauny, proprietors of Seafront Image on the Lower Esplanade between the piers.

In the first six days of having the petition out on the seafront, 540 people passing by signed it.

Mr Coyle said it would be handed into the Noble Organisation after several more weeks when expects the total to have gone into the thousands.

He said: "We are finding people want the Noble Organisation to stop their obstruction of the restoration of the West Pier.

"It really is an eye opener how strong the support has been so far for the petition."

The Noble Organisation has opposed a harbour revision order which is needed before the West Pier can be restored.

It is also challenging a decision of Brighton and Hove City Council to grant permission for the restoration and the building of large seafront pavilions to make the project viable.

Noble is also appearing at the European Court to oppose the grant of National Lottery funds for the restoration, claiming this is unfair competition.

The company has owned the Palace Pier, now called Brighton Pier, for almost 20 years and has transformed it into the most popular leisure attraction in the south east.

Noble director David Biesterfield was not available for comment.

Brighton West Pier Trust manager Rachel Clark said: "We welcome this petition.

"It shows that the great majority of visitors and residents support the restoration of the pier.

"They are also frustrated by the obstructions put in the way by the owners of the Palace Pier."