The insurance costs of the fire which destroyed part of Brighton's Palace Pier have been estimated at £1 million.

The ghost train, three other rides and decking were damaged in the blaze on February 4.

Surveyors have been assessing the extent of the damage ahead of a possible pay-out.

The figure, suggested by Insurance Times magazine, includes replacing the rides, as well as compensating for interruption of business.

Although two-thirds of the pier was reopened the day after the blaze, parts of the southern end remained closed.

The pier, owned by the Noble Organisation, has been insured with London-based Fusion Insurance Services for two years.

Kevin Pallett, managing direction of the insurance firm, said this was the first major incident involving the pier during that time.

However, he stressed it was still too soon to put a final figure on the cost.

He said: "With a claim featuring damage like this, it will take time before we can come up with a reasonable estimate.

"We are still assessing the extent of the damage and other things the cover includes, such as business interruption.

"Our people are working with the client but £1 million sounds a little speculative at this stage."

Early reports of burning debris cascading through the floor into the sea raised fears the steel supporting structure of the 103-year-old pier may have weakened.

An inspection the morning after the blaze revealed the damage was less severe than first expected.

The ghost train was a heap of blackened debris, while the log flume and mini-bumpers were also destroyed.

The helter skelter was badly scorched and is expected to be demolished.