WHEN people think of Brighton they think of three things: the pier, the Royal Pavilion and the seafront.

The first two appear to be in good hands but the seafront is crumbling before our eyes.

Once the epitome of Victorian architecture, it is now an embarrassment.

We had been calling on local decision makers to come up with a coherent plan for a number of years.

After much pressure, Warren Morgan last year unveiled his £24 million masterplan which would see the seafront restored to its former glory.

However, he said the scheme would need a £4 million Government funding boost to kick-start the regeneration.

We were told the feedback had been fantastic and the money a shoo-in.

But yesterday came the devastating news that our bid has been rejected.

It is too early to know exactly what has happened. The inquest will launch in the coming days and will no doubt go on for weeks.

Council leader Warren Morgan has already started the finger pointing. He has said Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby has questions to answer for not convincing his Conservative colleagues that it was a worthwhile project.

But this is no time for political squabbles.

Right now we need all concerned to come together and work towards a solution.

We all have a shared interest in the arches being saved.

Brighton lives and dies by its seafront. And right now the seafront is dying a slow and painful death.