Watch: Moment part of Brighton's historic West Pier collapses

A section of Brighton’s historic West Pier has collapsed into the sea during the wet and windy weather brought by Storm Austen.

In footage obtained by the BBC, one side of the famous landmark in the East Sussex city can be seen falling into the water as it is battered by large waves.

The pier – which first opened in 1866 – attracted two million visitors at its peak, though its popularity declined after World War Two. While it was closed to the public in 1975, the increasingly ruined structure has become a symbol of Brighton for some.

Major sections fell into the sea during storms in late 2002, while two separate fires the following year destroyed most of what remained. Subsequent storms have destroyed its iron frame even further.

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