A lifeboat crew last night told of their role in fighting the blaze on Brighton Pier.

Members of Shoreham Lifeboat were called to assist more than 50 firefighters tackling the fire which devastated almost a third of the pier on Tuesday night.

Brave crew members had to manoeuvre their boat beneath the pier to ensure the 50ft flames did not burn through the decking, despite being showered with embers and debris and having only plastic helmets to protect them.

Team member Ian Cosham, 38, said: "You could see coils of copper wiring through burnt away timbers and the blue flame of a ruptured gas pipe. It could have been dangerous, but it wouldn't stop me from doing the same thing again."