New plans for Brighton's devastated West Pier due to be unveiled today remain under wraps while trust members try to decide which proposal to adopt.

Members of the Brighton West Pier Trust were due to arrive at their annual meeting tonight to be presented with details of the latest scheme designed to bring the structure back to life.

But yesterday the trust, which has been battling to come up with a rescue plan for the pier for 30 years, postponed the presentation because it was still deciding which one of three proposals it wanted to pursue.

Three private companies have submitted plans to build a new pier using surviving elements of the original Victorian structure.

Initial costing for the plans, which range between £15 and £25 million, were given the thumbs-up by consultants.

But narrowing down the companies to a single preferred developer is taking longer than predicted.

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the trust, said: "The ideas are still under development.

"We will reconvene as soon as possible to detail the proposals. We are double checking costs to make sure the plans are commercially viable.

"I am sorry about the delay but it's quite normal for any detailed scheme.

"We have been trying to get things off the ground for 30 years so we hope people will wait another couple of months."

The trust, which is working on the scheme with Brighton and Hove City Council and English Heritage, now hopes to reveal its plans by early February.

It has refused to name any of the companies behind the proposals, which include leisure and business elements, but has confirmed several local businesses are involved.

Last month Dr Lockwood told The Argus he believed there was an 80 per cent chance of the development going ahead.

Designed by Eugenius Birch, the West Pier opened in 1866 as a simple promenade and later acquired a bandstand then a theatre and, later still, a sumptuous 1,400-seat concert hall.

Last year the trust's hopes of restoring the pier with public money were dashed when the National Lottery Fund withdrew its support after the pier was badly damaged by a storm and two suspected arson attacks.

Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Elgood yesterday called for the council to hurry things up.

He said: "There have been 20 years of false starts with the West Pier. Rather than the jewel in the city's crown it's become our biggest eyesore.

"It's time for the council to step in and lead this process to resolve it as a matter of urgency.

"There must not be any further delays."

A council spokeswoman said: "The council is in ongoing discussions with the West Pier Trust but there are no firm plans at this stage."

The trust's annual meeting, which is open to members only, will take place as scheduled at the Holiday Inn in King's Road, Brighton, at 6pm today.