WESTON locals have been casting their minds back to the huge fire which destroyed the town's old pier in 2008.

For many, the tragic day was one to remember.

Weston Mercury: The pier went up in flames.The pier went up in flames. (Image: Robert Joseph Clements/We Grew Up In Weston-super-Mare Facebook)Weston Mercury: Residents have been casting their minds back to the day.Residents have been casting their minds back to the day. (Image: Robert Joseph Clements/We Grew Up In Weston-super-Mare Facebook)Commenting on the We Grew Up In Weston-super-Mare Facebook page, one person said: "I miss the old pier, start of the six week holiday as well, I remember when I went down to Weston after they cleared it, I was gutted I couldn't go on it."

Another added: "I was driving to work from Burnham and could see the smoke at Sedgemoor services. Really sad.

"It was my first summer job in 1970 when Roddie Brenner ran it. Felt like a bit of my history went up in smoke that day."

Weston Mercury: The pier burnt down.The pier burnt down. (Image: Robert Joseph Clements/We Grew Up In Weston-super-Mare Facebook)Weston Mercury: Residents have been remembering the fire.Residents have been remembering the fire. (Image: Robert Joseph Clements/We Grew Up In Weston-super-Mare Facebook)

Some see the loss of the former pier as a loss of the town's heritage. One commenter added: "Always a sad loss, part of heritage."