A £100,000 major maintenance programme has started aimed at making Eastbourne Pier the envy of the South Coast.

The plan is to revamp the pier and include new attractions while retaining its original character by using traditional materials.

The work will include replacing timbers at the front of the Grade II listed pier and renewing cross-braces underneath.

Three of the pier's maintenance workers have spent almost a month on the project, which is expected to take a further seven weeks.

Graeme Sanderson, 37, who took over as pier general manager last month, said the work was just part of an ambitious set of plans he has for the attraction.

They include a scheme to revive the renowned Camera Obscura Club in conjunction with the Eastbourne Society, making it the only pier in Europe to have such a club.

Plans have also been mooted to develop Bar Copa into a multi-purpose venue for business conferences and weddings.

Designs for a marketing campaign which will promote the pier across Europe were being unveiled today.

Mr Sanderson, whose last job was overseeing a multi-million pound entertainment complex in Sydney, Australia, said: "It is a challenge as there is a lot going on.

"It is a fantastic structure and one which I feel very much at home with."