The last remaining traders shut up shop and quit in November

More than 8,000 people have signed a petition to save the East Sussex pier, which has stood empty since November.

Most of the Victorian structure was closed by Hastings Borough Council last June because of safety concerns.

Saturday's meeting was led by local Labour MP Michael Foster, with a view to forming a Friends of The Pier group.

Mr Foster hopes it will help put pressure on the council to commission a survey to see what should be done to keep the pier open.

"As I see it, we need to persuade the council to exercise their statutory powers," he said.

"Either by themselves or jointly with the owners, they must commission a survey to see just what is required to get the pier reopened."

Charitable trust

He added: "By creating a 'Friends' we can keep up the pressure and convert to a charitable trust to take over the pier should the council decide on that route."

The borough council's decision to close the central section of the pier in June in the interests of public safety was upheld by the town's magistrates' court in September.

It followed a dispute between the council and the owner, Ravenclaw Investments, over repairs.