The owners of a 130-year-old pier have unveiled a rescue package to prevent its closure and safeguard dozens of jobs.

Hastings Pier, already partially shut after a safety inspection deemed it unsafe, was due to close entirely yesterday but managers agreed to keep it open after traders in the safe front section protested.

Harmesh Pooni, from Ravenclaw Investments, said the company would do all it could to help the pier's 130-plus staff and traders and hoped to reopen the entire pier within three weeks.

Mr Pooni said: "It will be at great cost to us but seeing our tenants in tears was the biggest thing.

"They have supported the pier and I promised them I would do everything I could to save their businesses as well as ours."

Traders on the safe part of the pier vowed last week to seek a High Court injunction to stop Ravenclaw closing the entire attraction.

Hastings Borough Council last week used emergency powers to close most of the pier for safety reasons until a full court hearing scheduled for August 9.

A council inspection claimed parts of the pier were unsafe and the structure was in danger of collapsing under the weight of large crowds.

It closed the building from the facade onwards but decided the front horseshoe-shaped apron, home to a number of thriving shops, cafes and bars, was safe.

Hastings Pier opened in 1872 at a cost of £23,250. It was designed by engineer Eugenius Birch and modelled on Brighton's West Pier.

During the, Thirties the pier was famous for its entertainment. There were concerts and dancing every night and people took speedboat trips to the harbour.

A searchlight was even fitted to the end of the pier so people could go swimming at night.

Yesterday Mr Pooni met MP Michael Foster and Peter Pragnell, the leader of Hastings Borough Council.

He said staff from Ravenclaw and council officers were talking to their respective engineers about maintenance worked that needed to be carried out.

Jenny Watson, who runs BJ's On The Beach Cafe with her husband Brian in the front section of the pier, said she was relieved they would not have to close but was still worried about the future.

She said: "Our takings are down by about 78 per cent.

"If the pier does reopen it will be great but we will still have to repair the damage done to its reputation in the past few weeks."

A spokesman for Hastings Borough Council said: "Our only concern has ever been public safety.

"If the pier owners are able to open sooner rather than later and prove the repairs are satisfactory, that's brilliant news."

The council wants the pier to remain closed until officers are satisfied adequate repairs have been carried out.