A man has restored a piece of the old West Pier to its former glory.

The piece, known as a finial, was a decorative item which would hang from the lower deck of the West Pier.

Arthur Wye, 73, from Worthing, spent days chipping away at the stones and barnacles on the finial's surface with a chisel and hammer.

He polished the object with a wire brush and sanding discs to expose the original cast iron surface which he then treated with oil.

The Argus: Arthur, 73, at the West Pier, where Carla and her husband found the finial. Credit: Carla HarrisArthur, 73, at the West Pier, where Carla and her husband found the finial. Credit: Carla Harris (Image: Carla Harris)

His daughter Carla Harris and her husband found the fragment a few months ago on Brighton beach.

“We found it after the big storms in February. We saw this large piece covered in stones and barnacles right on the waterfront near the West Pier," Carla said.

“From its shape it looked like something from the West Pier but we weren’t sure”

Carla said: “We lugged it back to the car ­– it was very heavy!

“It ended up staying in our garden for a few months as we were very busy with other things, but my dad said he wanted to have a look at it. He loves history so this was right up his street.”

Carla, eager to find out more about the item, shared the pictures to Facebook, garnering over 800 likes and more than 100 comments.

Arthur said he was “touched” by the response.

The Argus: The West Pier in 2003. Many fragments have since washed up on the beach. Credit: Marc CohenThe West Pier in 2003. Many fragments have since washed up on the beach. Credit: Marc Cohen (Image: Marc Cohen)

Geoff Stevens, from Lewes, helped Carla identify the object as a lower decorative finial from the West Pier.

"I trawled through my collection of West Pier photos and thought this looked like a finial.

“I enjoy a hunt for the unknown sometimes and it would seem that I have been lucky this time."

Carla said the family will “cherish” the finial.

“My parents live in an old farmhouse so it will fit right in there. It will be treasured for years to come,” she said.