Work has started on a new seafront paddling pool which will be ready for next summer.

There were protests when the 65-year-old paddling pool by the Brighton's West Pier was closed after serving children for many years.

Now Brighton and Hove Council is working on the pool which will be the centrepiece of a £750,000 revival of the seafront between the West Pier and the Hove boundary.

The new pool will be 150 yards west of the old site, covering a 75-yard stretch between Alfresco restaurant and the Victorian bandstand.

Specially catered for children, the new pool will have a pirate theme and even the toilets have been designed with children in mind.

The design was based on a survey conducted by the council three years ago and was endorsed by 70 groups working with children.

Councillor Jackie Lythell, who chairs the council's seafront task group, said: "This will be safer, more fun and more stimulating than the old pool. The dry equipment will also be available all year, much more useful than a paddling pool alone which has to be empty most of the time."

The project should be finished by January although the water will not be switched on until the warm weather arrives.