Company bosses behind plans for a futuristic pier have underlined their commitment to building it somewhere in Brighton and Hove.

But the exact location for the floating structure remains to be decided as a number of sites are currently being considered by Aros, the London-based firm proposing the scheme.

An artist's impression of the pier, revealed here last month, shows it on the site of the Palace Pier.

But Aros' Chris Cotton and Nick Readett-Bayley, who were in Brighton yesterday, say this is purely for illustrative purposes.

The pair came to the city to meet with leading figures, including Simon Fanshawe, who chairs the Economic Partnership and Brighton and Hove City Council officials.

And they were also keen to stress the pier, a futuristic structure designed to float on the waves while being tethered to the seabed, rising and falling with the tide, is a serious proposition.

Stretching almost half a mile out to sea, it could contain leisure and commercial space, room for performances, a water taxi station and a windsurfing jetty.

At the end there would be a 60m high viewing tower and a cable car running the length of the pier.

The Aros plans suggest it could replace the West Pier if moves to rebuild and renovate the ailing structure fail.

No site too close to the current piers would be chosen as it would clash with them.

But Mr Readett-Bayley said the project could be linked with the proposed rebuilding of the Brighton Centre.

This would enable it to act as a magnet to people walking down West Street from the railway station and it could create symmetry with the existing piers.

Aros has also suggested the pier could fit in with plans for the King Alfred redevelopment in Hove, making it more of an attraction.

Another possible site could be Shoreham Harbour, a mile west of the King Alfred.

Mr Cotton said: "A business strategy is being put into place to maintain the idea. We are keen to bring further creative designs to aid regeneration in Brighton and Hove."

Mr Readett-Bayley said reaction to the pier project had been almost universally favourable, prompting them to come to the city for further discussions.

Mr Fanshawe, who met with Aros yesterday, said that the pier was an exciting idea but the city had to work out what sort of visitor attraction could be combined with it.

He said the city had wonderful architecture from the past but it needed magnificent architecture from this century to act as punctuation.

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the Brighton West Pier Trust, said: "Our view is that a 21st century pier in Brighton and Hove would be most welcome.

"It would signify both the continuing evolution of piers and the vibrancy of the city as an international tourist destination.

"The city can sustain three piers, especially since each would have a distinctive appeal - the heritage West Pier, the funfair Palace Pier and the 21st Century new pier.

"In many ways, the leisure economic development zone for the city lies in the sea. The proposal for a new modern pier has nothing to do with the plans for the restoration of the West Pier.

"Personally, I would see a new pier as either an extension of the modern architecture of the proposed King Alfred development or as a way of enlivening the gap between the Palace Pier and the Marina."