BRIGHTON'S Palace Pier has been chosen as Pier of the Year 1998 in Britain.

It is the second piece of good news in a week for piers in Brighton. On Wednesday the West Pier received a £14 million lottery grant for restoration. The Pier of the Year is awarded by the National Piers Society and chairman Tim Mickleburgh said: "This is good news for Brighton. "The lottery award means that we can look forward to the complete restoration of Britain's only Grade 1 listed pier. "In the meantime the Palace Pier offers fun and amusement for all." Pier deputy general manager, Roy Stevens, said: "We are delighted with this award." The award will be presented by society president Gavin Henderson tomorrow. Mr Henderson, former director of the Brighton Festival, said: "My earliest working experience was gained on the two Brighton piers. "In 1971 I established the first campaign to save the West Pier." The Palace Pier was built in 1899 and is visited by millions of people each year. It is one of Britain's biggest tourist attractions. Formed in 1979, the National Piers Society promotes preservation and enjoyment of Britain's 50 seaside piers. Cromer and Teignmouth came second this year. The 1997 winner was Eastbourne.

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