It is almost 140 years since the West Pier in Brighton packed the seafront with spectators, as Yvonne Williams' old newspaper picture shows.

When Yvonne heard the historic structure had collapsed, she dug into her and husband Terry's collection of Brighton mementoes to find a newspaper cutting from the day it opened.

On 13 October, 1866, the pier was the toast of the town.

It was called 'one of the finest structures in Europe' and its Victorian elegance was described as 'an ornament to the town'.

Ironically, newspaper reports also applauded the pier for its 'solidarity of construction', which they rated as unrivalled.

Yvonne, a grandmother of Telscombe Cliffs Way, Telscombe, could not help comparing reports from the time with our reports about the pier's tragic collapse.

She and her partner Terry, an avid collector of Brighton memorabilia, found the old framed cutting in a car boot sale.

The couple are regulars at car boot sales but they could not have realised then that their framed article would become such an important reminder of a time when the pier stood proud and firm.

Yvonne said: "It's so sad the pier has been allowed to fall into its current state.

"It made me go and find this cutting and see how it was in its heyday."

The cutting, from the Illustrated London News, details the splendour of Eugenius Birch's creation and the lavish celebration that followed its official opening.

MPs, the Mayor of Brighton, Henry Martin, workmen carrying flags and banners, the coastguard and two military bands formed a procession to the head of the pier.

Speakers praised the 'plainness yet beauty' of its structure and its 'lightness of appearance'.

One commented: "The solidarity of its construction and the amount of its accommodation is quite unrivalled."

The report records how the pier had seating for more than 2,000 people and how the lower level could accommodate bath chairs.

It mentions how ornamental houses and weather screens were situated so 'promenaders could sit sheltered'. And it comments on the usefulness of the landing for steamers and boats under the head of the pier, which could be used 'at all stages of the tide'.

During the celebrations, the Royal Standard was hoisted over the pier and a 21-gun salute fired.

The mayor 'expressed the hope the public might find on the pier health, amusement and pleasure'.

The opening was followed by a banquet at the Royal Pavilion and an 'illumination by fireworks'.

Accompanying the piece is a sketch of the celebratory scene, complete with promenaders in their finery and VIPs on horseback.

Yvonne said: "I used to go to the pier as a child. I remember playing in the paddling pool and looking at the pier and thinking what a wonderful thing it was.

"I always thought it was more beautiful than the Palace Pier. It had more character.

"It's terrible that nothing has been done for all these years. Despite its sad state, I would like to see it rebuilt. It's such a huge part of Brighton and Hove."