The pier pavilion during its hey day

Victoria Pier in Colwyn Bay is being auctioned via the online auction site eBay.

The pier's owners of the last decade - Mike and Ann Paxman - have decided on the move, after abandoning their fight to turn the pier into a major tourist attraction for the resort.

Just over 24 hours after going on sale, more than1800 people have clicked on to the pier's page, with interest from as far afield as Asia and America.

Mr Paxman said two English companies had already expressed an interest through seeing the pier on eBay.

"It can only be positive," he said. "There have only been a couple of small bids and it hasn't reached its reserve price.

However, he said he was confident the auction would lead to the sale of the pier which he had previously failed to sell through conventional methods.

"There is so much nostalgia related to it. Colwyn Bay has grown up around the pier Chris Hughes

"It'll stay on the site for 10 days, and even if it doesn't go over the net we are getting interest at last," he added.

The 57-year-old property developer and marine engineer and his wife have overhauled the once-derelict structure.

But the couple have come up against the problem of fire regulations and have been unable to complete the transformation of the pier's derelict pavilion to a casino and tourist attraction.

Although they had tried to raise more cash for the work, Mr Paxman said they could not take "any more stress".

Chair of the Friends of Colwyn Bay Pier, Chris Hughes, said they were looking forward to a new owner taking on the redevelopment.

"Our aim is to see the pier regenerated," he said.

The pier has been partly redeveloped by the owners

"There is so much nostalgia related to it. Colwyn Bay has grown up around the pier.

Opened in 1900, the pier is one of the few iron-built seaside structures remaining around the coast of the UK.

The now-derelict pavilion has been rebuilt three times during its 100-year existence.

A wartime refuge to wounded troops, it was in the second half of the last century an entertainment venue and amusement arcade.

"Whoever buys it will have their work cut out," said Mr Hughes.

"We estimate it will take �750,000 to bring it up to scratch."

Conwy council's cabinet has already agreed a �25,000 feasibility redevelopment study for the pier.

It will be approved formally once the ownership issue of the pier is resolved, said a council spokesperson.