An amateur designer has revealed his alternative vision for the West Pier - and it could leave Brighton and Hove with a sandy beach as big as Blackpool's.

Cliff Clifford says his radical scheme would safeguard the long-term future of the Grade I listed West Pier while saving money, producing environmental benefits and giving Brighton and Hove a tourist attraction to rival any resort in Britain.

Mr Clifford revealed his plans for a mini peninsula beneath the pier as controversy continued to rage around the scheme put forward by St Modwen and the Brighton West Pier Trust which would result in two large pavilions being built along the shoreline.

The trust insists its proposals are the only feasible way forward.

But opponents believe the scheme is too big and claim it will block out sea views forever.

Mr Clifford, who lives near Brighton Marina, says his scheme is a reasonable compromise which would substantially alter and improve the seafront.

It would involve creating dry land under the steel structure by sinking huge boulders and concrete blocks. The top of the land would be just above the high-water mark and could be topped off with sand or shingle.

Mr Clifford said: "It would change the nature of the pier and would be controversial but then this whole thing is surrounded in controversy.

"It's all about throwing ideas into the ring and now seems like a good time to do it."

He likened his scheme to the preservation in dry dock of HMS Victory and of other famous old ships in concrete.

"It will make the maintenance of the pier's steelwork much easier and will greatly extend the life of it once it has been preserved.

"It is a compromise against the cost and impracticality of preserving, forever, a steel structure in a hostile environment.

"If the West Pier is eventually preserved, how long before it needs another major injection of money to preserve the preserved remains from the next chapter of disintegration?

"The West Pier can enjoy a long life on a peninsula that it cannot hope to enjoy on the sea.

"It will still enjoy its marine environment and its clientele will still feel the effects of the marine air but without the discomfort of the sea being so intrusive."

Mr Clifford believes his proposals would have a beneficial impact on stopping the erosion of the beach from west to east, thereby creating a new broad beach.

He said: "The inexorable drift of shingle will cease and will probably produce a huge, wide swathe of sand.

"This will extend way out to sea and produce a huge sandy beach, similar to Blackpool and Bournemouth.

"This will improve the protection of Hove by taking the sea and the consequences of storms further away.

"Once the foreshore has retreated as a result of this new shingle, the resulting beach can be artificially graded and topped with sand."