Tourists flocking to the seaside could suffer a disappointment if they take an acclaimed travel guide's advice on a famous landmark.

Brighton's West Pier is known to most as a crumbling, neglected wreck in desperate need of repair but Lonely Planet has given it a new lease of life.

The latest entry for Brighton in the guide, known for its travel facts and information, says: "We must mention the West Pier and its ubiquitous amusement arcades.

"It's popular and fun (at least with kids) but rest assured one tacky pier does not a cheesy city make."

The revised Lonely Planet Britain, out today, describes Brighton and Hove as one of the best cities in the country.

However, it confuses the bustling Palace Pier with its deteriorating neighbour.

While the former attracts about four million people a year to its wealth of amusements, the only visitors likely to tread the boards of the latter are engineers and birds.

Hundreds of thousands of people a year buy travel guides by the Lonely Planet group.

But many of them will be sorely disappointed if, on its advice, they turn up at the city's West Pier hoping for a ride on the Big Dipper.

The Palace Pier was renamed Brighton Pier by its owners several years ago but is still signposted and known by its original name.

Councillor Andy Durr, chairman of the culture, regeneration and housing committee at the city council, said: "What a shame thousands of people from all over the world are going to turn up at a beautiful building which is being renovated."

West Pier general manager Rachel Clark described the mistake as pretty basic.

She said: "I wish I could say the West Pier never had amusement arcades but sadly that's not true.

"There are no plans for that sort of thing on the restored pier."

Palace Pier manager Bob O'Connor said: "Of course the article must be referring to our pier.

"It is indeed popular, with some four million customers a year.

"We do have two arcades but also three bars, a superb 250-seat restaurant, some 27 rides and more than 30 catering outlets."

Elsewhere, the Lonely Planet guide praises Brighton's "un-English decadence" and the "lavish fantasy" of the Royal Pavilion.

Lonely Planet spokesman Maya Catsanis said the group was sorry for what was a typing error.