Changes are being made to controversial proposals for leisure buildings near a pier.

But they still have not found favour with residents who live near the West Pier in Brighton.

Developers St Modwen first proposed two buildings in July and said they were essential if the pier, a Grade I listed building, was to be restored and viable.

But the scheme was modified after residents and some amenity societies objected to its impact on the seafront.

Further consultation is taking place and the scheme is likely to be submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council in January.

Roger Hinton, chairman of the Regency Square Area Society, said: "The new scheme does look a bit different from the previous one.

"But the concept is still the same, major structures projecting above the upper promenade on either side of the pier."

He added: "The whole point of the exercise - a restored West Pier - will be hidden, as will the sea itself."

But Brighton West Pier Trust chief executive Geoff Lockwood said the buildings were essential for the pier project.

He thought that with some further amendments they would be broadly acceptable to the main amenity societies.

Dr Lockwood said: "They have made a number of changes to the scheme."