Hundreds of people who braved wild winter weather to watch more of the West Pier in Brighton fall into the foaming waves were united in their sadness.

The West Pier is a Grade-I listed building and even in its long decline was a magnificent ruin. Now the collapse of the concert hall has made it look a sad wreck.

Only two weeks before the first collapse on December 29, pier engineers gave a stark warning it was about to happen.

It's amazing that a Victorian building, abandoned for the best part of 30 years, weathered the waves for so long.

Yesterday's second collapse was a warning it cannot last much longer.

Most people in Brighton and Hove would like to see the pier restored but every time another piece slides into the sea, the task becomes more of a rebuild.

There has been delay after delay over the years as successive plans for restoration have failed for lack of money.

Now National Lottery cash is in place, barring a successful challenge in the European Court by the owners of the Palace Pier.

To make a restored pier viable, a development is needed on shore. There is no dispute about that. What is contentious is the form it should take.

Plans by developers St Modwen for two leisure buildings go before councillors soon, perhaps on February 27. If they are passed it should be possible to rescue much of the pier even now.

If not, there will still be other schemes suggested for restoration but time and the tide wait for no one.