Opponents of a development planned next to Britain's only Grade I listed pier are launching an alternative scheme for its restoration.

Developers St Modwen and the Brighton West Pier Trust are proposing two large pavilions on the Lower Esplanade on either side of the pier.

They say the pavilions, which will be visible from King's Road, are essential to ensure the restoration is viable.

But Save Our Seafront, which has backing from 12 local conservation societies, will launch its alternative plan next week.

Plans, together with a scale model, will be displayed for the first time at a special presentation at the Granville Hotel, 124 King's Road, on Tuesday at 1pm and will remain on display until April 23.

The West Pier Trust will start displaying its scheme at offices on the pier next week.

Alternative plans, which have been created by architects Lomax Cassidy and Edwards in association with Bennetts Associates, show no structure of any size rising above the promenade level.

They were first revealed in The Argus earlier this year but were rejected by the trust as not being viable.

Save Our Seafront says they provide approximately the same square footage as the present proposal but with all the commercial units positioned discreetly below the upper promenade level, avoiding any interruption of views and allowing the pier itself to be completely revealed in its full glory.

It also says part of the pier could be redeveloped as a luxury four-star health spa.

SOS leader Clive Buxton said: "We all want the West Pier restored but not at any cost."