HERNE Bay Pier Trust has launched its new website at www.hernebaypiertrust.co.uk to coincide with it gaining charity status.

It also has a new logo designed by Bay resident Eric Stair.

The trust, led by solicitor Stephen Parry, the husband of Canterbury Lord Mayor Cllr Carolyn Parry, is now seeking founder members who are prepared to pay £10 a year - or a one-off life payment of £250.

It is hoping to raise enough money to regenerate the town's pier which was once the second longest in the world.

The Pier Trust comprises pier campaigner Andy Newell, city councillor Peter Lee, slot machine king Michael Khoury, Beverly Hardstone, retired Bank of England manager Graham Cooper, Julian Jennings, Sue Austen and Shona Halley.

It has two vacancies. Conservative councillor John Law died last August and has not been replaced.

Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Matthews has stripped of his connection with the trust while awaiting trial on corruption charges.

For more information email hernebaypiertrust@btinternet.com or download an application form from the website.

Or visit rival site www.HerneBayPier.co.uk created by music promoter Pete Revell, who was one of the original campaigners to get the pier rebuilt.

He said: "My site has been running for 12 years. I offered it to the Pier Trust but they wanted their own. I now also use it for gig listings."