Trust transfer plan to save pier

The pier opened in the 1860s

A rundown pier may be handed over to a charitable trust with a view to restoring the dilapidated structure.

Burnbeck Pier at Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset was opened at the height of the Victorian period in the 1860s.

But now the grade two listed structure is on English Heritage's Buildings At Risk register.

The first step towards restoration may be taken on Tuesday when North Somerset Council's executive committee meets to discuss handing over ownership to a charitable trust.

Around £10m is needed to restore the pier but by transferring ownership to a public trust a number of grants would become accessible, which cannot be spent on privately-owned buildings.

If the council agrees to the change, it could be transferred almost immediately.