Residents fighting to save a dilapidated pier could take over its management and restoration.

Campaigners and members of the public met to discuss the future of Hastings pier, which closed in June because of fears it might collapse.

They formed a group called Friends of Hastings Pier to pressurise the owners into carrying out urgently-needed repairs and lobby Aborough councillors on the issue.

The group could become a charitable trust and eventually take over the pier in a bid to preserve it.

Hastings Borough Council is locked in a legal battle with pier owner Ravenclaw over the crumbling Grade II listed structure.

It is due to challenge the Panama-based company in several court actions during the next few weeks.

The council claims Ravenclaw has not complied with a court order to produce a schedule of repairs but people at Saturday's meeting said the council was not doing enough.

Ann Blackman, who collected an 800-signature petition, told council officers: "That pier belongs to the people of Hastings historically, emotionally and morally. I was amazed when I was collecting signatures at the old people in their 80s and 90s who all had wonderful stories of happy times. If we lose the pier you're going to lose face and you're going to look really stupid. Let's get the Friends started and while we do that, you lot get your fingers out and do something."

Simon Hubbard, the council's director of planning and regeneration, said it had been difficult to get results because the pier owners were registered in Central America.

Councillor Jeremy Birch said the council needed to be more pro-active in securing the future of the pier, which he described as a "rotting hulk".

He said: "I think we all agree the cost of doing something is going to be enormous but the cost of not doing something is more damaging and will undermine the regeneration of this town."

Hastings MP Michael Foster said if Ravenclaw did not carry out the work it was meant to, the council should make a compulsory purchase order and transfer the pier's ownership to another business or charitable trust. He said a survey was needed to find out the total cost of repairs needed. The bill is expected to run into millions of pounds.

No one from Ravenclaw was at the meeting at the White Rock Theatre but a statement from commercial manager Harmesh Pooni was read out.

Mr Pooni said the company would start repairs today.

He said the pier never posed a danger to anyone and the council made a mistake in closing it.