SIR Andrew Bowden wants to raise awareness for the Save Madeira Terrace campaign as he pledged his support.

The former Brighton Kemptown MP, who was in office from 1970 to 1997, is trying to rally the public to get behind the campaign to restore the terrace and arches to their former glory before time is up on the project.

With little more than a month to go before the fundraiser comes to an end, he is calling for a big push to get the campaign over the line.

Sir Andrew said: “I hope, and believe, the people of Brighton will respond in large numbers by sending a donation to the rescue campaign.

“The terrace is a great asset to Brighton and must be returned to its former glory.”

The campaign is just shy of the £200,000 mark, which is less than half of its goal of £429,576.

Madeira Terrace, which is a Grade II listed structure, is now fenced off because it is deemed unsafe for the public.

It has fallen into disrepair over the past few years, the metalwork coated in rust.

Sir Andrew praised the work of The Argus in raising awareness of the project, and urged people to donate whatever they could afford.

He said: “£1 a head from the residents of our great city would ensure the terrace and arches are fully restored.

“I will be sending a donation to the campaign.”

If the campaign reaches its target, it will stand a significant chance of gaining further funding from the Government.

The total cost to repair the terrace and arches is in the region of £24 million.

Last year the Madeira Terrace was shunned for a Heritage Fund grant from the Government.

However, it is believed that if the campaign raises the £429,576 it will prove there is concrete local support for restoring the structure.

The condition of Madeira Terrace is also having an effect on other developments in the area.

The Sea Lanes project – an open-air swimming pool surrounded by a complex of shops and restaurants – has been reduced to a five-year plan rather than the initial 150 year lease due to the uncertainty about the terrace’s long-term future.