Further improvements to Deal Pier are to be carried out after Dover District Council agreed to spend an additional £600,000 on the attraction.

Cabinet members signed off phase two of the project on Monday, which includes repairs to the concrete structure, enhanced lighting, shelter upgrades and a new CCTV system.

The council is also looking to refurbish the clock and art sculpture above the pier entrance, as well as install an electronic public information screen.

DDC’s head of assets and building control Martin Leggatt said the catalogue of works will be “delivered in the next 12 months”.

Officers says the refurbishments will lead to a “truly satisfying visitor experience to this iconic structure” built in the 1950s.

New seating, repaired guardrails, and an asphalt surface have all been installed as part of “essential” pier improvements which were allocated £587,000 of public money in November 2017.

Cllr Trevor Bartlett (Con), portfolio holder for property management and environmental health, said: “I was there yesterday having brunch and it was packed.

“It was so busy, which is great to see. The work we’ve done so far has been absolutely fantastic.

“The concrete repairs are very important, it will be good to get the CCTV system upgraded, and we can do lighting which will make the pier look absolutely stunning in the evening time.

“It’s such a great tourist attraction and that can only improve.”

The pier has also been boosted by the opening of the Deal Pier Kitchen café and restaurant on January 4.