Developers may have to raise the height of the West Pier in Brighton because of rising sea levels.

The radical suggestion has been put forward as part of the major redevelopment of Brighton's West Pier.

St Modwen Developments says the Grade I listed pier may have to be elevated by up to one-and-a-half metres to ensure waves do not break on its decking.

Director Nick Doyle said: "It's widely reported that sea levels are predicted to increase in future and we have to expect these things.

"Just look at all the flooding problems in Sussex over the last couple of years.

"We must look at the future of the pier and make sure it's protected if anything happens. It's possible it may have to be elevated.

"If anything is done, you will hardly notice. It will be a tiny amount, possibly a metre or a metre-and-a-half.

"Nothing definite has been decided and the technical side of things is still being investigated."

Rachel Clark, general manager of the Brighton West Pier Trust, said sea levels had been rising steadily since the pier was built in 1866.

She said: "If nothing is done, it could mean people walking on the pier on a windy day getting very wet.

"Since the restoration will involve a huge amount of structural work, it seems logical to take the opportunity to increase the pier's height at the same time."

Coastal expert David Robinson, a lecturer in geography at the University of Sussex, said sea levels were expected to rise by up to half a metre in the next 50 years due to global warming.

Scientists on an inter- governmental panel on climate change blame the temperature rise on increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

This causes the sea to expand in volume and the ice caps to melt, leading to a rise in sea levels.

Dr Robinson said: "It's an important issue right along the coast but I have not heard of any piers having to be raised before.

"Usually the implications are for flood defences and beach erosion.

"The other problem is the greater number of storms caused by climate change.

"It is the level of storm waves rather than the rise in sea levels which could cause most problems for the pier."

Plans for restoring the West Pier with the help of £14 million National Lottery money have been delayed while a legal challenge by the owners of the Palace Pier, the Noble Organisation, on the grounds of unfair competition is resolved.

Details of the next stage of the redevelopment are due to be launched at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on February 27.

The trust hopes the restoration will be completed by the summer of 2005.