Brighton's Victorian seafront bandstand is to have a facelift under a project to transform a section of seafront.

Part of the landmark, near the West Pier, will have to be dismantled before it can be restored to its former glory.

The work is being carried out under the next phase of the seafront regeneration initiative, stretching west to the Peace Statue.

Historian Averil Older, a Tory member of Brighton and Hove City Council, said she was concerned at the state of the bandstand, which has been disused for many years.

The city council said an independent structural surveyor, who had carried out studies on the Royal Pavilion, inspected the bandstand and said any remedial work would not preserve the structure.

A spokesman said the top half of the bandstand, a listed building, needed to be taken down and restored off-site.

Conservation architects are being appointed, with the approval of English Heritage, to work out what has to be done and how much it will cost.

Coun Older said: "I am concerned about the deteriorating condition of this much-loved landmark.

"My hope has been any remedial work could be carried out before the winter months set in."

The bandstand, built of iron and resembling a birdcage, was built in 1884. It was placed on the Lower Esplanade but was raised to the level of King's Road by being put over public lavatories.

For many years, it was used successfully as a bandstand and shutters were put up to protect performers from sea breezes.

But after the Second World War, increasing traffic made it impossible for people to hear the music.

Attempts have been made to bring it back into use but none of them has lasted long.

In the past ten years, the condition of the bandstand has declined and there is no public access to the building.