A HISTORIC North-East pier reopened today after an £850,000 overhaul to repair storm damage.

Weather permitting, members of the public can now access the 600metre long pier, which is 111-years-old and Grade II listed, was closed to the public on Sunday, June 22 for the works.

After restoration work on the lighthouse last year, and this year's resurfacing, a further phase of refurbishment works to the lighthouse and tunnel is being scheduled for 2015, subject to a successful Heritage Lottery Funding award.

Work on the pier railings is also planned as part of the rolling refurbishment programme.

In December 2013, heavy seas displaced large segments of the pier's structure.

Councillor John Kelly, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellness and Culture, said: "Carrying out and completing this major programme of works through summer and autumn meant less need to close for temporary repairs in the future.

"The lantern house at the top of the lighthouse was restored a year ago and we hope it and a restored tunnel can in the future be opened for public tours."

The council has allocated £1.35m to the pier as part of the City Council's ongoing seafront regeneration programme at Roker and Seaburn.

The pier works were carried out by specialist marine civil engineering contractor Southbay Civil Engineering Ltd, based in North Shields.

When it was built, as part of the development of Sunderland Dock, the pier was seen as a triumph of engineering and it opened to the public in 1903. It extends 609m/1998ft and took 18 years to build.