WHEN a dredger left a gaping hole in historic Hythe Pier last Saturday, how many people recalled a very similar incident almost 20 years ago?

In a bizarre case of history repeating itself, a 150ft dredging barge crashed into the end of the pier during the mid 1980s, when much needed renovation work - totalling £280,000 - was being carried out.

Fortunately, the damage was not as severe as last week's incident. The boat made only minor dents to the Victorian structure, but still significantly slowed the four-man renovation team's progress.

It is not just stray boats that have threatened the 120-year-old pier. Since building was completed in 1881, Hythe Pier has experienced a multitude of fires and vandalism.

However, credit is due to Victorian engineer John Dixon, responsible for building the pier in 1878, as despite experiencing more than its fair share of ups and downs, it is as strong today as when it was first built.

Now, Hythe Pier is visited as much by tourists as it is by commuters, but was originally intended to facilitate ferry services between Hythe and Southampton. Before its introduction, ferry-users had to be carried ashore.

Costing £7,000 to build - a huge sum in the late 19th century - people from all over the country invested in the project, paying £100 to purchase ten shares. As part of a current restoration scheme, that sum will today buy an inscribed wooden board on the pier.

Despite costly restoration in recent years, few changes have been made to the pier's appearance, the most notable being the three electric trains added shortly after the First World War, which are still in use.

In 1999, the Guinness Book of World Records recognised Hythe as having the longest continuously operating pier train in the world.

The pier has even survived fire. Dropped cigarette ends caused wooden supports to flare up in August 1976, but the wrought iron structure was strong enough to withstand the blaze and was soon back to its former glory.

In 2000, The Daily Echo reported that £500,000 was needed to prevent the pier suffering from further deterioration.