Pier blaze: History in a landmark

On one Sunday during 1997 - proclaimed the Year of the Pier - more than 56,000 people strolled round its decks. It was chosen as Britain's Pier of the Year 12 months later.

Built 33 years after the now-derelict West Pier opened, the Palace Pier took ten years to construct and was finally completed in 1899.

With its Oriental domes and filigree arches it is considered by some to be the finest pier ever built.

It was originally intended to replace the old Chain Pier, which had been a landing stage for ships crossing the Channel but was destroyed in 1896 by a violent storm.

The main section of the Palace Pier's deck was opened in 1899. A theatre was added in 1901 and a pavilion for dances and concerts in 1910. It could seat 1,500 people and became a huge success.

In the first years the pier boasted an illuminated archway entrance with little beyond it apart from decking.

A landing stage and the pier-head pavilion with four minaret towers were added in 1901.

In the early days an estimated two million visitors a year passed through its turnstiles.

Promenaders enjoyed coin-operated vending and peep-show machines, magicians, musicians and jugglers. Fairground rides were introduced in 1920.

During the Second World War the pier was closed and its middle section removed in case of enemy landings.

There were reports the pier was hit by enemy bombing and the structure was damaged, but repairs allowed the structure to reopen in 1946.

In 1973 a barge slipped its moorings and caused severe structural damage. The collision led to the demise of the pier's theatre, where stars including Tommy Trinder, Ronnie Corbett and Dick Emery had only recently appeared.

The old theatre was taken down for storage pending reconstruction but it mysteriously disappeared.

The pier's shine had tarnished during the Sixties and Seventies as people began taking holidays abroad rather than at home.

The pier began to suffer and the small company which had always run the pier found its upkeep a major liability. In 1984 it was taken over by the Noble Organisation, which spent millions restoring it.

The new owners abolished entry tolls, lengthened opening hours and brought thousands of people back to Brighton, all year round.

The Nobles turned the pier into one of Britain's top tourist attractions but there have been disputes and tragedies on the way.

A year after they took over, the Nobles banned fishing, sparking complaints from the 250 members of the Brighton Palace Pier Angling Association.

In 1995 electrician Mike Thomson, 31, died when when an electricity sub-station under the pier exploded. A resulting fire caused some damage to the structure.

There were fierce arguments when Brighton and Hove planners refused consent for a changed layout of rides on the pier head in 1998.

The same year the pier was evacuated when one of its sideshows, the Ring Toss stall, went up in flames after soft toys caught fire.

Later that year the Noble Organisation unveiled controversial plans to change the pier's name. Today the pier's main sign reads Brighton Pier but the new name is resisted by many traditionalists.

In 1999 a public inquiry was held to resolve a dispute between the Nobles and Brighton and Hove City Council over calls by the council to reduce the number of rides.

The Noble Organisation won the day but tussles between the two have continued.

Today, Brighton and Hove City Council's planning committee is considering an application for two new Booster rides on the pier head. They are being recommended for refusal.

Recently the Nobles launched legal action against the West Pier, which is receiving National Lottery money for renovation work, on the grounds that it is unfair competition.

The claim will be heard by the European Court.

The background arguments have done nothing to tarnish the pier's popularity.

In 1999 the first couple to marry on the pier later named their new baby Pia.