A special meeting will be held on Thursday to discuss neighbours' fears about a new seafront development.

National Lottery money has been pledged to restore the crumbling West Pier in Brighton.

But developers St Modwen say two large new entertainments buildings on either side of the pier are needed to make it viable.

The Regency Square Area Society is holding the meeting at the Beach Hotel at 8pm.

Chairman Roger Hinton said: "Our initial reaction is that the proposed buildings are far too large and will ruin the seafront.

"The main problem is that they will be on two floors. As a result, they would rise above the upper promenade by about 15 feet."

Mr Hinton said: "We believe this scheme, if it went ahead, would effectively wall off the promenade from the sea.

"Obviously St Modwen do not share this view. They believe the buildings, which will be made largely of glass, will enhance the seafront.

"The Brighton West Pier Trust says that without a development of this kind the pier will never be restored."

Representations from all organisations concerned with the pier and from amenity societies have been invited.

Drawings by architects for St Modwen will be on display along with others by opponents.