A rescue package has been put together to save a crumbling pier.

Leisure firm Stylus Sports says it will carry out £200,000 worth of improvements to Hastings Pier whether it has the owner's permission or not.

It runs the pier's bingo club and Bar Luxor and wants to re-open them in time for the summer.

Hastings Borough Council used emergency powers to close the structure last June because of fears it could collapse.

Since then, there has been a massive public outcry for the 130-year-old pier to be mended as soon as possible.

Peter Hargreaves, managing director of Stylus Sports, called on the council for financial help in fixing the area under its premises.

The council is thinking about contributing £50,000 and discussed the idea at its cabinet meeting on Monday.

Stylus Sports said it asked pier owner Ravenclaw Investment for permission to carry out repairs but was refused.

However, it told the council it intends to replace supports and bracing without consent.

Council spokesman Kevin Boorman said: "Stylus Sports have put together a rescue plan which, although not saving the whole pier, could at least allow the largest tenant to reopen.

"This in turn could allow some of the smaller units at the front of the pier to reopen, as the bingo generated a lot of custom for the businesses there, too.

"We have always said that our preferred option for the pier was for it to remain open and the plan put forward by Stylus appears a sensible one.

"It will provide local jobs and certainly present a far more appealing image than the current locked gates at the front of the pier.

"We know that there are risks involved but there are also risks in not supporting investment on the pier."

He said the council never wanted to close the attraction but had done so on advice from its engineer.

Harmesh Pooni, commercial manager for Ravenclaw, said: "It is ironic the council has agreed to think about giving £50,000 two days before the council elections.

"I'm pleased the council is thinking about the pier but I'm not sure of their motives. I'm a bit taken aback this is happening now.

"We wanted to see how we can bring forward the re-opening for the whole of the pier and not just one tenant."

Mr Pooni said he did not know how the repairs could be made without the involvement of his company's lawyers.

He claimed the council over-reacted in closing the pier and it never needed to be shut.

Ravenclaw lost an appeal last week at Lewes County Court to get it reopened.

Judge Guy Anthony said there were too many problems to allow any part of the pier beyond the central section to reopen.

The High Court has ordered Ravenclaw to pay Stylus Sports £280,000 for loss of earnings and redundancy costs.