Public piazzas with tables and chairs linked to cafes and bars feature in campaigners' alternative plans for a new seafront development.

Save Our Seafront is displaying the scheme for land near the West Pier in Brighton.

Brighton-based architects Lomax Cassidy and Edwards have put forward the scheme which was first revealed in The Argus earlier this year.

They say it is better than plans by the Brighton West Pier Trust and developers St Modwen for two new pavilions on either side of the pier which would be above the level of King's Road.

The architects, in conjunction with Bennetts Associates, have kept the buildings below the level of King's Road.

Their roofs would be used as an extension of the upper promenade of King's Road, providing a series of public piazzas. They could have tables and chairs on them for the cafes, bars and restaurants below.

Two prominent sculptures would be at either end of the development.

Architect Nick Lomax has suggested that the end of the pier could be turned into a spa.

There would also be a conference hall for up to 600 delegates on the pier.

Save Our Seafront is displaying the alternative scheme at the Granville Hotel, King's Road, daily until Tuesday between 10am and 5pm.

This has been designed to coincide with the display of the official plans by the West Pier Trust on the pier forecourt also until Tuesday and at the same times.

Derek Granger, from Save Our Seafront, said: "We do not believe that the St Modwen development is the only possibility.

"It must be made clear that, whilst supporting the restoration of the West Pier, we are not endorsing any particular alternative development, nor are we supporting any specific architects or developers.

"We are presenting this proposal to illustrate that a more imaginative concept, which does not rise above the King's Road promenade and degrade the seafront, is possible."

He said the official plans would be a catastrophe. Views of the sea and the pier must be preserved.

Trust chief executive Geoff Lockwood said constructive suggestions would be considered but that the concept of having shoreline buildings to help fund the restoration could not be altered.