Historic pier partially collapses into sea as Storm Austen batters UK

The first named storm of the season has lived up to expectations

Strong wind and heavy rain have caused plenty of chaos across the country, from closed airports and disrupted train services to felled trees and even Brighton's historic West Pier.

The famous Brighton landmark partially collapsed earlier today amidst the stormy weather, with the moment even being caught on camera.

Videos being shared on X showed the moment part of the already out of use structure fell into the sea.

A number of wind warnings were issued by the Met Office for today across England and Wales with more to come into force tomorrow in Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England.

A long history of neglect

The Brighton West Pier has had a long history of neglect since it was closed in 1975, after being opened in 1866.

The pier suffered structural damage in the Great Storm of 1987 while in 2003, multiple fires gutted the building leaving it a husk of its former self.

While groups have tried to restore the pier, this never came to fruition and the skeleton of the pier has stood in the sea for years, occasionally losing parts to other storms.