Lottery officials have inspected a burnt-out pier.

The visit from members of the Heritage Lottery Fund to Hastings sparked calls for people across Sussex to back an £8.5 million campaign to rebuild it.

The “Say Yes” posters from The Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust support a structure as a “People's Pier”.

Earlier this year, a firm of architects was chosen for the potential rebuild.

Hastings Borough Council and The Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust said dRMM Architects would explore options for the site's future.

The blaze, on October 5, took four days to put out and destroyed 95% of the upper part of the pier.

Last month two men, both aged 19 and from St Leonards, who were arrested on suspicion of arson had their bail extended until April 4.