Owners of the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, have announced their preferred design for the redevelopment of the 104-year old attraction.

Bristol-based architect, Angus Meek, was selected after a design competition for the pier, which was severely damaged by a large fire in July.

Designs for the future of the Grade-II listed structure were unveiled by six architects at the start of October, before being put to public consultation. A planning application for the rebuilding of the pier is now expected to be submitted to North Somerset Council before Christmas.

Kerry Michael, pier owner, said: "We intend for the new pier pavilion to be opened for business in time for the summer season in 2010. For that to be possible, we need to get the planning permission application to the local authority before Christmas.

"One of the attractions of the Angus Meek design was the way that it can be illuminated at dusk and in the evening, so that the pier can be a centre-piece of the sea front during dull Autumn afternoons and winter days – bringing vitality and excitement to the town."

A spokesperson for Angus Meek architects said: "Our aim was to provide a thoroughly contemporary building which continues the tradition of the British pier pavilion at Weston-super-Mare."