A section of the West Pier balustrade has been verified as a piece from a classic film.

The part can be seen behind Sid James in the classic comedy Carry on Girls 1973 which was filmed in different locations across Brighton.

The owner, Margaret McEwan, visited the West Pier Trust, where staff were able to verify the piece.

The Argus: Sid James and Barbara WindsorSid James and Barbara Windsor

“I was thrilled when they were able to verify my precious piece of West Pier balustrade,” said Ms McEwan.

Jackie Marsh-Hobbs, a tour guide and lecturer who helps at the West Pier centre said she recognised the piece “instantly.”

“I automatically knew where it came from” said Ms Marsh-Hobbs.

“The piece is still quite structurally sound as these bits of balustrade were over the beach, meaning they are less exposed and less weathered by the sea.”

The balustrade piece is made of cast iron and painted in weather-resistant white enamel paint.

“It weighs an absolute tonne!” said Ms McEwan.

The West Pier Trust verifies items that people find at the beach.

The Argus: A clipping of The Argus from 2011 shows other pieces of the West Pier balustradeA clipping of The Argus from 2011 shows other pieces of the West Pier balustrade (Image: The Argus)

Ms Marsh-Hobbs said: “We have people come in all the time with pieces of the old pier.

“Everyone wants a bit of the West Pier because they loved it so much."

The West Pier Trust invites people to bring pieces they find, or photographs of them, to the centre on the beach front to have them verified by their staff.

Last week, a 73-year-old man from Worthing restored another piece of the old West Pier. 

The Argus: The finial, left, was covered in barnacles and stones before Arthur Wye restored it.The finial, left, was covered in barnacles and stones before Arthur Wye restored it. (Image: Carla Harris)

Arthur Wye's daughter Carla found the decorative hanging piece, known as a finial, on the beach after a storm earlier this year. 

Ms Marsh-Hobbs was able to verify this piece. 

“We love it when people come in and show us what they have done with their findings," said Ms Marsh-Hobbs. "Lots of people have pieces in their gardens and houses.”

According to the trust, there are bits of the pier all over the world.

“We would like to have an archive of where all the pieces get to, as I know there are pieces over in Australia and America,” said Ms Marsh-Hobbs.