The architects who designed the London Eye have announced plans to erect an observation tower on the site of the derelict West Pier in Brighton, UK.

The structure, called i360, would measure 4m in diameter and would be able to carry up to 100 people to a height of 150m (492ft) above sea-level in a single, air-conditioned capsule.

According to the designers, David Marks and Julia Barfield, the £20m attraction would take two years to build and could attract around 500,000 visitors a year with a peak capacity of 4,000 people a day.

The project has been backed by the West Pier Trust, which owns the proposed site.

Glynn Jones, chair of the trust, said: “We believe the i360 is entirely in the spirit of the pier’s history and therefore would uphold the heritage of the pier as well as promote the regeneration of the city’s seafront.”

David Marks said a public consultation period with local residents would be undertaken before submitting a planning application for the scheme.

“This is a rare opportunity to create a landmark in the true sense of the word,” he said.

“We believe it will give people a new experience of Brighton, enabling them to see the whole of the city for the first time.”

The West Pier Trust was created in 1978 to save the pier and £14.2m was awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1998 to restore the site. The grant was withdrawn in 2003 after the pier was destroyed by fire. Details: www.marksbarfield.com