Volunteers have celebrated winning £50,000 for the pier as part of the ITV Meridian People’s Millions programme.

Herne Bay Pier Trust and local schoolchildren gathered by the seafront landmark to be told the news by presenter Sarah Saunders.

They had been bidding against the East Kent Railway Trust in the village of Shepherdswell near Dover.

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She said: “I’m absolutely delighted. A big thank you goes to everyone who called in to vote, and everyone who has supported us. It has been a really big community effort.”

Pupils from Herne Bay Junior School Year 3 and 5 turned out to cheer the news. Head teacher Frances Nation said: “We have supported the bid because it’s important to feel part of the community. The pier is a big part of the town.

“It needs money spending on it, but hopefully it can be brought back to its former glory.”

The bid was supported by the Friends of the Clock Tower group, the Historical Records Society, Herne Bay in Bloom and the Bay Promo team.

Bay Promo Team’s Gerald McCarthy said he is looking forward to the work being completed. He said: “It will be another big outdoor space for the town, with a stage and seating area.

“It will hopefully add to the summer schedule of events. We’ve got in mind lots of musicians, bands and actors holding events.

“We have a handful of events on the revamped platform lined up, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

The bid saw off competition from the East Kent Railway Trust in the village of Shepherdswell near Dover, which was bidding to restore a steam locomotive from the former colliery at Snowdown.

Video: Watch the moment the win is announced

The trust’s success follows last year's bid by Herne Bay Coastal Park which won the cash for improving access to the beach for disabled people, improving facilities, and creating new artworks.