A major fire has today devastated the historic Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare.

The blaze which broke out early this morning destroyed the pavilion building at the seaward end of the Grade II-listed structure in less than two hours.

The cause is currently unknown, and Avon fire and rescue officers are investigating whether it was started deliberately.

There have been no reports of any injuries. 

The pier, which is supported by iron girders, is not thought to be at risk of collapse.

The pier which opened in 1904 has burnt down once before, in 1930, when a 2,000-seat pavilion for opera, music hall and ballet was destroyed. The pier reopened three years later replaced with a large funfair.

In 1974, the Grand Pier was granted Grade II listed-building status.

The entrepreneurs Michelle and Kerry Michael bought the Grand Pier in February, spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on new facilities including a £500,000 indoor go-kart track.

The pier is one of the last to be built in Britain.