The controversial owner of Eastbourne Pier has been ordered to stop painting the iconic site gold.
Sheikh Abid Gulzar, 70, bought the pier last year and now it has emerged that he is in hot water with Natural England and Eastbourne Borough Council after he started painting parts of the Grade Two listed building gold, including the cupola, otherwise known as the dome, plus 40 lions adorning the original ironwork.
Mr Gulzar, who was born in India, stepped in when the 140-year old pier was nearly destroyed by fire two years ago. He now faces protests but has said he cannot understand what the fuss is all about.
