PIECE by piece, parts of one of Brighton's best known landmarks were knocked to the ground yesterday.

Just 36 hours earlier, the historic Royal Albion Hotel had stood proudly facing the Palace Pier.

But a tragic accident has now robbed the town of a building treasured close to many residents' hearts.

First flames tore through the building, then gallons of water poured through every floor of the lavish interior as firefighters battled to control the vicious blaze.

The final indignity came yesterday when dangerous parts of the structure were demolished, leaving clouds of smoke and hundreds of onlookers with tears in their eyes.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.