A STUDENT’S video pleading with the new owner of Eastbourne Pier not to charge an entrance fee has gone viral with more than 100,000 views online in just three days.

Luke Gardner – a creative media studies student at Sussex Downs College – decided to create the video rather than just a write to Sheikh Abid Gulzar, who bought the pier last month.

Mr Gulzar had suggested in a national newspaper article that he might charge a £1 or £2 entrance fee to go onto the pier – a suggestion which has divided the town.

Some have said they would be happy to pay the charge, while others said they would boycott the iconic site in protest.

Mr Gulzar has since confirmed that no firm decision has been made, so Luke thought it would be a great idea to make his views known on video, but he didn’t realise it would be so popular.

Luke says on the video that he disagrees with any charge to go onto the pier, but is delighted that he has caused so much interest with his video.

He is now planning a second video and he hopes to include the new owner in that one.

Mr Gulzar has always said he is happy to meet locals who have a view on the pier, and while Luke says he hasn’t yet spoken to the new owner, he does hope to do so in the next couple of days.