The once-proud West Pier is on the verge of total collapse after a large section crumbled into the sea.

Experts have been warning the listed building would not survive much more of a buffeting from Mother Nature and these fears have now been proved right.

It is good news the West Pier Trust still plans to carry on with its ambitious redevelopment plans, even if more of the structure plunges into the sea.

But it is a tragedy one of Brighton and Hove's most famous landmarks should have been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair in the first place.

In its heyday, crowds flocked to the pier but now locals and tourists can only look on and wonder why its shell has not yet been transformed into a modern attraction.

The blame game has already begun, with West Pier owners saying legal action by rivals at the Palace Pier delayed their plans so much the structure gave away.

But whoever is to blame, we can only hope the rows are solved in the new year and work gets under way as soon as possible to revamp the pier, which can only be good for the city as a whole.