A Victorian attraction which has lain dormant for more than 30 years is set to attract thousands of visitors when it reopens this summer.

An £80,000 restoration programme on the camera obscura on Eastbourne pier is now only three months from completion.

All the damage caused by the devastating pier fire in 1970 has been repaired over the past year.

When finished by June, pier bosses hope thousands of visitors will flock to the attraction, as they did in its heyday.

The camera is a periscope-like lens that projects live images of the town on to the walls of a darkened room, giving a 360-degree view of Eastbourne.

It was built in 1901 and enjoyed years of success until an arson attack damaged the pier's Dome theatre and staircase.

Fire crews managed to save the attraction from the flames but access to the camera was destroyed. It has remained closed since then but last year came the announcement money had been secured to restore its staircase.

Pier general manager Graeme Sanderson said: "All the damage caused during the fire in the Seventies has been repaired.

"A hand-made clock paid for by local company CMS Ltd will be installed and it's going to look fantastic when finished."

Owen Boydell, chairman of heritage and environment group the Eastbourne Society, said its appeal may be lost on younger people but that an important part of Eastbourne's heritage will be revived.

He said: "I think it will be more of an interest to the older generation and will look magnificent whenever there are fireworks or the Red Arrows fly past."

A host of civic leaders, including Eastbourne Mayor Olive Woodall, are expected at the reopening.