Renovating the West Pier has been a dream for more than 20 years.

During its 100-year heyday, the pier was one of the most elegant and charming pieces of over-the-top seaside architecture in England.

Designed by Eugenius Birch, the 1,115ft-long pier took three years to complete, at a cost of £27,000.

Its open walkways were an immediate hit with Victorian promenaders when it was opened on October 6, 1866.

But people living nearby took a dimmer view and, in echoes of an argument raging today, complained about the box-shaped kiosks at the entrance.

A pavilion seating 1,400 was added in 1893, a concert hall in 1916 - the part which collapsed yesterday - and an entrance in 1932. Its heyday was the years in between the world wars.

Customs officials were based on the pier in the Thirties, when it was used by steamers sailing to and from France.

The threat of a German landing during the Second World War led to the pier being closed and cut in two. It was not reopened until 1945.

The southern end of the pier was closed for good in 1970 because it was unsafe and in 1975 the whole structure was placed out of bounds.

It was left to rot and the council was about to agree the demolition of the southern end when fierce local opposition forced a U-turn.

Brighton enthusiast John Lloyd started the We Want The West Pier campaign and collected a huge petition to force a rethink.

It was only the determination of Mr Lloyd and his fellow protectionists during the 20 years that were to follow that saved it from destruction.

It was not until the West Pier Trust, the campaign's successor, took over that the pier's prospects began to look up.

Four years ago, the trust won a National Lottery grant of almost £14 million towards the estimated £30 million the restoration would cost.

Private sector partners, however, continued to come and go and it was not until the arrival of St Modwen that the renovation seemed on the verge of reality.

But it has not been plain sailing. The Noble Organisation, owners of the rival Palace Pier, continues to challenge the Lottery grant in Europe, saying it amounts to unfair competition.

Plans to build two large leisure buildings on the shore, required to help finance the restoration, provoked ongoing protests.

Brighton and Hove City Council was due to consider the planning application early in the new year.