A HISTORIC landmark was forced to close over the weekend as it was battered by extreme weather.

Staff on Brighton's Palace Pier said it was "shaking" and "water was forcing its way through the boards", Brighton and Hove City Council said.

The pier was closed because the decking was so wet from all the rain pier workers had to put safety first to avoid slips and falls. A spokesman said it is "a tribute to the Victorian construction and continual maintenance that the pier withstands what the elements throw at it".

Throughout the weekend the relentless winds reached speeds of 73mph leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Scaffolding was torn down, trees were toppled and power cables were felled.

Large waves also thrashed against the beach lifting a large number of pebbles onto Hove promenade.