THE £14 million Lottery grant announced today for restoring the West Pier in Brighton is good news for all those who love this fine old building.

But it is even better news for the millions of people who love Brighton as a resort. For far too long, the derelict pier has been a blot on the landscape. Now that at least £24 million will be spent on restoring it by private and public money, the pier will become a central feature of the seafront. The shops, bars, restaurants and other attractions on it will add enormously to Brighton's vitality, particularly at the western end which has been looking rather run down. It will follow successful restoration of the Lower Esplanade between the piers which has transformed sad seafront arches into tourist attractions. Now all Brighton needs is for the Dome restoration to be approved by Lottery chiefs and it will approach the Millennium in great heart.

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