There are serious fears Herne Bay pier could collapse into the sea if rusting supports beneath the Victorian landmark are not replaced.

Former pier trust member Andy Newell thinks the structure, which is home to beach huts and kiosks, only has 50 years left if action is not taken.

Mr Newell, of Gordon Road, accepts council bosses do keep an eye on the site, but wants to see universal beams underneath replaced.

He said: “I know what I am talking about and the pier, as it stands at the moment, will not last very much longer. I do not give it any more than 50 years.

"To be fair to the city council, they do inspect the underneath of it but, unfortunately, Herne Bay pier was built in Victorian times and things do not last.”

Mr Newell says Canterbury City Council bosses, who manage the landmark, need to replace the metal beams that run from pillar to pillar.

The former pier trust trustee says they would have to remove everything from the structure to do it.

He said: “The council has looked after it fairly well, but it does not mean to say that the rot has stopped because it has not.”

Pier trader Tina Couchman, who has run a gift shop at the site’s entrance for the past 19 months, says Mr Newell’s fears are news to her.

She said: “If they need replacing, they have got to be replaced, but my only worry would be what would happens to the traders.

“The council would not be able to do the work without closing the pier, and if it was to be closed it would have a huge impact on the traders.

“I am assuming, and one would hope, that if something is needed to be done, they would do it.”

City council spokesman Rob Davies says previous works include a major programme of steelwork repairs to the substructure between 2001 and 2003, costing about £200,000.

He added that when the main pavilion was demolished in 2012, it was followed by surfacing and decking repairs, as well as other works.

Mr Davies says the works following the main pavilion demolition have a service life of at least 30 years.

He said: “The pier is inspected on a regular basis through a monitoring programme. From our inspections we identify future maintenance requirements and plan for these as necessary, and this work is ongoing.”