The restoration of a historic seafront bandstand has moved a step closer.

Brighton-based architects DRP have been appointed to lead the project on Brighton seafront.

The firm, based in Upper Lewes Road, will oversee the £850,000 scheme to return the crumbling landmark to its former glory.

The company has been involved in a series of high-profile developments and has experience working with listed buildings.

Work is already under way to prepare designs for landscaping the surrounding area and securing listed building consent so that the restoration can go ahead next year.

Temporary repairs have been carried out so the building can withstand the worst of the winter weather.

The plans include a link bridge from Kingsway to the upper level of the twostorey bandstand, with a café in the lower level.

The bandstand, situated close to the West Pier, is a listed building that dates back to 1884.

It has been derelict for 30 years and a series of bids to renovate the structure have failed.

The council bid for £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with another £300,000 set aside from council coffers.

But the application faced a series of setbacks and the council decided earlier this year to fund the project itself.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of the city council's environment committee, said: "A considerable amount of work has been going on behind the scenes to prepare for the restoration of the bandstand and we are delighted the project is moving ahead according to plan.

"The bandstand is a much-loved feature of the seafront and we all look forward to seeing it restored to its former glory."

Temporary guttering and pipes have been fitted to remove rain water from the bandstand during the winter, holes in the underside of the roof and platform floor have been repaired, and a temporary felt covering on the roof has been replaced where needed so that the structure is watertight.

Patricia Horne, founder of Save our Brighton Bandstand, compiled a petition of more than 1,000 signatures in support of the bandstand.

She said: "I was very pleased they have wintered the bandstand.

"At the moment, it is a squalid dump but we are trying to keep it in the public eye."

She hopes to organise performances throughout the spring on Sundays and raise money for improvements around the bandstand when it opens.

How much difference will the revamped bandstand make to Brighton seafront? Leave your thoughts below