a new owner for Hastings Pier could be announced soon.

The pier has been closed to the public since October when its former owners ran out of money.

Receivers were called in and the 127-year-old pier was closed after it was badly damaged in winter storms.

It was put on the market and 30 interested parties res-

ponded, with several putting in bids.

Stephen Catz, of the London-based receivers Leonard Curtis, said: "I can confirm that discussions are ongoing and we are hopeful of a favourable outcome soon."

But he said the deal was a complicated one.

He said: "Buying a pier is not like buying a car, there are a lot of negotiations to be made."

The new owner will have to spend millions restoring the pier after years of neglect.

The National Piers' Society has described Hastings Pier - a Grade II listed building - as "a national treasure".

Hastings Pier is one of only seven designed by the Victorian engineer Eugenius Birch still remaining today.

Birch was also responsible for designing Brighton's West Pier and Eastbourne Pier.

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