A drilling rig has arrived to carry out work on the beach as part of the restoration of the West Pier in Brighton.
The city council has granted developer St Modwen and the Brighton West Pier Trust permission for the restoration which also includes controversial on-shore buildings.
Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the Brighton West Pier Trust, said: "The rig has caused a lot of interest from people passing by.
"Some test drilling is being undertaken as part of preparatory work for restoration tenders."
The rig will enable experts to gain information on conditions below the beach including the state of the cast iron piles.
A Grade I listed building, the West Pier dates from 1866. It is derelict following two fires and two collapses in the last nine months.
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