Talks over future of fire-hit pier

A spokesman for the ruined Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, revealed that each worker would be spoken to individually this week about the progress of restoration plans.

Press officer Edward Keating said owner Kerry Michael, who spent £1 million renovating the attraction, had been left "drained" by news of its destruction in just 90 minutes on Monday.

Mr Keating said the "delicate" issue of jobs would be discussed with every single employee, although final decisions were not certain to made at the talks.

He said: "The managers are having a meeting to actively look at the issues and examine what the situation is. They are working with the fire brigade.

"I understand that each individual worker will be contacted by someone from the pier management over the next couple of days to be told what's going on.

"It takes time to speak to 100 people about something as delicate as this. It is important to stay in touch - it is a mark of the type of businesses Mr Michael runs.

Meanwhile structural experts used in the wake of terrorist bombings will visit the shell of the 104-year old pier 'as a precautionary measure', the fire-service said.

The Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR), which specialises in going into the wreckage of collapsed buildings to pull out survivors, will examine the pier.

A platform will be built alongside the pier to enable engineers to get a better look inside to see if it is safe.