Beaches in Brighton were mined during the Second World War to deter invaders but the explosives were removed near the end of the conflict.

Crowds flocked to the beach the Easter after the clearance although it was still wartime as can be seen in this picture from the collection of historian David Rowland.

In the background the Palace Pier is visible, with some spans missing from the middle.

This had also been done to stop invaders although the idea of Germans using the pier as their entry to Britain has a comic opera feel. The spans would be replaced a few weeks later.