The trust set up to maintain and restore Brighton's West Pier spent almost £100,000 on administration and staff in 2001.

In the same year more than £2,000 was spent by the West Pier Trust on repairs to the crumbling structure.

Earlier this week, the go-ahead was given for the restoration of the famous landmark after three decades of wrangling as part of a £30 million project with controversial shoreline pavilions.

Figures filed to the Charity Commission show out of available funds of £187,026 in the year ending December 31, 2001, £99,625 was spent on management and administration with £52,749 going directly on staff salaries.

The commission carried out an investigation into whether the trust was discharging its responsibilities properly following the collapse of part of the pier at the end of last year.

Commissioners found there was no need to investigate accounts further and gave the trust a clean bill of health.

A spokesman said: "Regarding the charity's repair expenditure for the year, we understand the charity was awaiting substantive funding before embarking on a major reconstruction.

"We also believe the delayed funding limited the charity's ability to move plans forward.

"We've been advised by the Heritage Lottery Fund this was due to a legal challenge from the Noble Organisation, owners of Palace Pier.

"We have contacted the charity's funders to establish the nature of the delay in funding approval. We are satisfied the trustees acted properly in working to pursue their aims of preserving the pier. Our case is now closed."

Accounts for the year ending 2001 were filed in July last year. It has until October this year to file accounts for 2002.

The 2001 accounts show £2,044 was spent on pier repairs, £2,272 on electricity, £3,176 on insurance, £45 on security and £12,761 on technical, professional and legal services.

There are only four full-time members of the trust, including chief executive Dr Geoffrey Lockwood. One is a guide, taking people on pier tours, one is in marketing and the two others are involved in management and administration.

Dr Lockwood said: "The whole point of the trust is to secure funding for the restoration and preservation of the pier.

"It would have been no good spending £40,000 or £50,000 on temporary repairs when the total amount needed for repair work alone was £2 million."