The architect behind plans for a futuristic "pleasure island" has revealed he wants to include the West Pier in the project.

Alan Phillips has met the Brighton West Pier Trust to discuss transforming the fire-ravaged structure into a causeway linking with the island built on a 21,000sqft platform at sea between the Palace and West piers.

Backed by Japanese investment, the £500 million island would include a conference centre, hotel and leisure complex.

Mr Phillips believes it could be accessed via a restored West Pier and has met Dr Geoff Lockwood, the trust's chief executive, to outline the scheme.

Mr Phillips said: "If Brighton is to remain a top-class leisure and conference centre, we will have to build out to sea.

"It is now open season on ideas for the pier and we will be having further discussions.

"A new island will require an Act of Parliament. We cannot do anything until after the next general election as there is not enough room in the parliamentary timetable before then.

"Plans will be drawn up when we know what the make-up of the next Government will be. I remain confident the island project has the potential to make a valuable contribution to Brighton and Hove.

"If a way can be found to incorporate a causeway into the pier structure, it could lead to a restored West Pier."

The pier trust and developer St Modwen have planning permission to restore the pier and build a shoreline entertainments centre but the Heritage Lottery Fund has refused to finance the scheme.

The trust is trying to secure backing for that scheme or a version of it.

A rival project from English Heritage is a more modest restoration of the pier to the original 1866 design.

Dr Lockwood said: "The first concept designs by Alan Phillips assumed the demise of the West Pier.

"He now sees the value of building the reconstruction of the West Pier into his scheme and at £30 million it hardly impacts on a £500 million scheme. I told him the trust would assist any options that include the restoration of the pier."