As flames engulfed the historic West Pier in Brighton, its owners insisted the planned restoration scheme would still go ahead.

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the Brighton West Pier Trust, said: "This is a sad time for the West Pier, as it was when we had the partial collapses."

But he added: "No matter what happens to the pier, we will get on with the restoration, "We have all the records and the fire will not negate the scheme."

City council chief executive David Panter put his arm around Rachel Clark, general manager of the West Pier Trust, as they stood watching the blaze. Ms Clark wept openly.

She said: "It feels like persecution. It's just one thing after another."

Ms Clark said the pavilion was destroyed but she there were no artefacts left that they had intended to restore.

She said: "I am devastated but this will not stop us."

Councillor Ken Bodfish, city council leader, said: "I hope this will not stop the reconstruction plans.

"It was always going to be a major reconstruction but now it's going to be a total reconstruction.

"We will support the West Pier Trust in every way possible. We want this pier back."

Nick Doyle, project manager for developer St Modwen, said: "As far as we're concerned the plans are going ahead.

"We're still committed and we have all the information we need to go ahead with the development. I imagine the engineering elements will remain.

"There were already parts of the structure that could not be used. Once we've got some assessments of the damage we will know more."

However, the fire is still a major blow for all those who were hoping the pier had put its troubles behind it.

Picture special: thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/fire/