Visitors can view the fire damage and restoration work

A 130ft section of the 1.34-mile long pier at Southend, Essex, was destroyed in a blaze in October last year.

Figures show that more than 3,500 people have visited the pier, including nearly 1,000 people on Boxing Day.

The pier, owned by Southend Borough Council, reopened for visitors to view the fire damage and restoration work.

Police have yet to establish the cause of the blaze which caused millions of pounds of damage.

The fire damaged shops, amusement arcades and the railway station.

Temporary access was built immediately after the fire to allow crews to reach the lifeboat station at the end of the pier.

At 1.34 miles (2.16km), Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world. It opened in 1889, with extensions added in 1898, 1908 and 1929.