HUNDREDS of people gathered on Saltburn's Victorian pleasure pier for the official re-opening on Friday after a £1.3m facelift.

Former culture secretary Chris Smith cut the ribbon to open the refurbished pier, as a brass band played to celebrate the end of extensive renovation work.

It was Mr Smith's decision, while he was in office, to upgrade the listed status of the pier, which meant it was eligible for a substantial National Lottery grant.

The Lottery money formed the majority of the funding needed to make the massive renovation scheme possible.

The remainder of the money came from local authority funds and The Friends of Saltburn Pier, who held fund-raising events to help to pay for the repairs.

Without the million-pound work it was feared that the pier, which is the most northerly east coast pier in the UK, would collapse into the sea.

There were once six piers along the Yorkshire coast, but those at Coatham, Redcar, Scarborough, Hornsea and Withernsea have all succumbed to the elements.

Henry Pease's Improvement Company began work on Saltburn's 1,500ft-long pier in 1868, and it opened the following year.

The pier has survived numerous batterings by the elements.

Rough seas damaged it in 1875, but it was rebuilt and a bandstand and shelter were added.

The pier stood safely until 1924, when a German ship blown off course drove through the middle of the structure, causing severe damage.

It was again repaired and the public were allowed back on it in 1932.

When war broke out, the pier escaped damage by the Germans, but a section was removed by the Government, who feared it could be used by advancing troops.

In peacetime, the pier was repaired, but little other maintenance has been done to it.

A storm in 1974 swept away the pier head and the bandstand. After a public inquiry, it was decided to shorten the pier to make it safer.

During the latest renovation, high winds and rough seas caused some damage.

It is hoped the new-look structure will remain for at least another 100 years.