The historic West Pier in Brighton is on borrowed time and may not survive severe storms, according to an engineers' report.

Civil engineers the Hemsley Orrell Partnership, from Hove, have carried out a survey of the crumbling pier.

Engineer Jon Orrell said the walkway and part of the concert hall had collapsed.

He recommended there should now be no access at all to the pier. It is already not possible to get to the large pavilion at the end.

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the Brighton West Pier Trust, said: "There is nothing we can do by way of emergency works. This emphasises the extreme importance of all parties expediting urgent plans for restoring the pier.

"In particular, once the council's planning permission for the enabling development is in place we can start to end the decay."

Plans for two large shoreline leisure buildings on either side of the pier by developers St Modwen, have proved controversial.

Even though the plans have been modified to meet public criticism, there is still strong opposition from the umbrella group Save Our Seafront, conservation societies and owners of the Palace Pier.

The trust and St Modwen say the shoreline development is essential to make a restored pier viable.

Dr Lockwood said: "I am concerned there could be a significant collapse before we get permission for the restoration deal."

Built in 1866 and finished in 1916, the West Pier was at its most popular between the wars.

Although it is the only Grade I listed pier in Britain, it has been partially closed since 1970 and shut completely since 1975.

Tours of the West Pier stopped more than a year ago because of concern about its condition but now even trust officials will not be able to walk on it.

Mr Orrell has instructed welders to put a permanent seal on the gate giving entry to the pier.

People passing the pier have been able to see the deterioration, with some bits collapsing.