A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “We would like to thank the swift actions of both our onsite security teams and Merseyside Fire and Rescue in dealing with a small fire on Southport Pier overnight.

“The fire was quickly extinguished and at this early stage we do not believe it to have caused any significant damage to the structure.

“It is not being treated as suspicious and we are advised that the cause of the fire was an electrical fault.

"We are working with our partners in Merseyside Fire and Rescue following this and we will continue to share any further information and updates about Southport Pier in due course.

“We continue to liaise with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and we expect to hear more detail about the process and timescales for the recently announced Growth Mission Fund, which will fund refurbishment of the Pier, very shortly.

“Any repairs necessary as a result of this fire will of course be factored into those works.”

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