Parts of burnt out pier re-open

The pier became engulfed by a blaze which began in the kitchens on Monday

Intact parts of Weston-super-Mare's stricken Grand Pier have reopened for business.

Although the pavilion end, which was destroyed in Monday's huge fire, is out of bounds, much of the walkway can still be used.

Four businesses on the landward side, including a gift shop and cafe, have resumed trading.

Investigations into the blaze, which is believed to have started in a kitchen area, are continuing.

The pier's owner, Kerry Michael, said the remains of the blaze were attracting tourists.

Police have enforced a cordon around the pier and said they had no reports of people scavenging on the beach for items.

The fire melted 370 arcade machines along with an unknown amount of coins inside them.

Safety remains of paramount concern as heavy materials continue to fall constantly from the pier structure Joint police, fire service and council statement

A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said the 300m exclusion zone was holding and no-one was able to get under the pier.

On Wednesday the pier owners, North Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue Service issued a joint statement saying work at the site had already begun.

"Work is focused on protecting the safety of both the site inspectors and the public," they said.

"Safety remains of paramount concern as heavy materials continue to fall constantly from the pier structure.

"While the integrity of the pier structure has now been assured for those responsible for inspecting the site, more extensive structural surveys will be needed before plans for rebuilding the pavilion building can progress."

A scheduled display by the Red Arrows, above the pier, is still expected to go ahead, on Wednesday, 27 August.