A chance to buy your very own piece of the West Pier

It will give people the opportunity to own a rare piece of Brighton history.

A cast iron weather screen bracket dating back to 1891 is currently on auction, and two original pier seat backs went on sale earlier this month.

The West Pier Trust recovered these artefacts in the 1990s, and have since cleaned them and brought them back to their original appearance. Uncleaned items will also be available for those wishing to have the original paint finishes.

Each piece will also come with a certificate of authenticity.

There is a limited selection available and all funds raised will go towards the restoration of an octagonal kiosk that was once a part of Eugenius Birch’s original work. The kiosk will be classed as the oldest pier structure in the world, the West Pier Trust said.

Only five of Eugenius Birch’s piers are still open today with the other nine having been either closed or destroyed.

To take part in the auction, which runs until September 2, visit: www.westpier.co.ukCorrection: In last week’s edition (August 17), an article on a West Pier auction stated ‘no suitable partner was found’ for the restoration of the pier.

This was incorrect. In fact, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) pledged £14.2m towards the restoration of the pier.

The Trust went into partnership with St Modwen Properties who were to provide the matched funding for the £30m project.

But just weeks before work was set to start, in March and May 2003 there were two arson attacks on the pier and after several months of consideration the HLF decided to withdraw its funding. As a result St Modwen were forced to back out of the project too.

We are happy to correct this.