Part of historic pier collapses into English Channel as Storm Austen batters Britain

Footage posted on social media showed part of Brighton’s historic West Pier falling into the sea as it was battered by tall stormy waves.

The structure in Brighton, East Sussex, was set ablaze in 2003, and its skeletal remains have become a feature of the seaside town ever since.

Professor Fred Grey, an honorary historian at the West Pier Trust, said: “Storm Austen has caused more of Brighton’s West Pier to collapse into the sea.

“Ever since the two devastating arson attacks in 2003, the West Pier has been whittled away by nature. All ruins are alive and ever-changing, and this is true of the West Pier.”

He added: “Everyone should stay at a safe distance and watch the battle between the pier and the elements. “

“We don’t know when the pier will eventually disappear beneath the waves, but disappear it will.”

As of 3pm, more than 31,000 homes in the South West were without power, according to a National Grid spokesperson.

They also confirmed that engineers had restored power to more than 52,000 properties since Storm Austen began.

A power cut in Sussex has caused a reservoir in the area to lose power, a water company said.

Southern Water said it is deploying tankers to inject water into the network in the meantime and is arranging bottled water deliveries for customers in the affected area as a precaution.

National Rail reported on Friday evening that a tree was blocking a railway line at Stansted Mountfitchet, causing major disruption to journeys to and from London Stansted Airport.

The network said all tickets for disrupted journeys will be valid tomorrow and has provided alternative routes on its website.

Andy Burnham was asked if the Government is playing catch-up with civil preparedness as he attended a summit organised to learn from the summer’s record wildfires.

Mr Burnham told reporters: “No, we are having the conversation with people about being better prepared because we’re living in a world where unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common.”

The Prime Minister continued: “Obviously, weather events, and we’re in a situation today where the UK is facing storms, and obviously we feel for the people without power in Cornwall right now, it is just having those supplies in the house to get you through those moments.

“We are having that conversation about resilience. That’s why we’re holding this summit today; it’s why we’re putting the guidance out to the public.

“We potentially are facing a winter of greater flooding, so it’s about recognising all of those risks and taking action.”

Forecasters said strong winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain, though gusts in the area will gradually ease over Friday.

Yellow weather warnings have been issued for the whole of mainland Scotland, the Western Isles, Orkney and the far north of England from 12pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday.

The Met Office added that there will be “widespread gusts” of 55-65 mph, reaching up to 70-80 mph in more exposed coastal locations.

Network Rail Scotland said trains will be slowed down on Friday and over the weekend to keep people safe in the areas expected to see the heaviest rain.