The steps at the end of the pier are closed for safety reasons

Bluebird Speedboats has operated off the end of the pier for almost 40 years but Eastbourne Pier's owners have ruled the rides can no longer continue.

Storm damage over the years has made the steps leading down from the landing stage unsafe to use.

The speedboat operators have said they will pay to repair the steps.

But Eastbourne Pier has said they will have to apply for planning permission - which could mean waiting up to three months for a decision from Eastbourne Borough Council.

Adam Sadler, of Bluebird Speedboats, said stopping the boat rides was the end of an era.

Mr Sadler says the rides are the last in the area

He said: "I will be out of work and so will the business because there will be no boat here at Eastbourne.

"The nearest speedboat around will be at Littlehampton. We have had boats at West Pier, Palace Pier, Hastings Pier and here.

"This is the last speedboat there is around this area and it will be finished."

Graham Sanderson, general manager of Eastbourne Pier, suggested the operators found a place to store the boats until the steps could be repaired.

He said: "The last thing we want is to kill off the business - they've been on the pier now for 40 years.

"It's not really a case of we don't make anything from it - it's a pound a year rent that we charge for this and it's something that I want to keep, in line with all the other businesses that are traditional to the pier."