Fan's bid to see Hastings Pier immortalised in Lego blocks

A life-long Lego fan has created a spectacular model of Hastings Pier out of the iconic blocks.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Nov 2016, 15:53 BST
Updated 18th Nov 2016, 12:23 BST

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Now Neil Marsden, from Tunbridge Wells, is hoping his unique design will capture the public’s imagination and spark interest from the toymaking giant.

Neil, 49, said: “I have been playing with Lego for too many years probably.

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“I started to build my own designs but it’s hard when you are just making something up so I thought I would make something like that which perhaps does not get as much attention as it deserves.”

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Neil, who has shares in Hastings Pier and is married to Hastings-born Debbie, designed the pier using specialist software while commuting to his work at an animation studio in London.

He said: “I really enjoyed building it. It took me quite a few train journeys.

“It probably took me about 10 to 12 hours to build it.”

He added: “It’s quite difficult building in Lego blocks because you have to know which blocks exist.”

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Neil uploaded the design to the Lego Ideas website last week ‘to see what happens’.

But after emailing the management at Hastings Pier, interest really took off.

Neil said: “Yesterday (Wednesday) I looked at my Lego page and it’s gone from one hundred views in the morning to 7,000 by the end of the day. They had put it on their Facebook page and there were some lovely comments on there.

“So suddenly it’s gaining momentum of its own.”

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If the design gets 10,000 votes in the next 416 days, Lego will consider making it into a set.

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Neil said: “The pier is a little unsung part of South East England. If Lego can help Hastings Pier get the attention it deserves, I think that would be wonderful.”

Neil has plans to create a Lego White Rock and Hastings skate park.

To give your support to Neil’s bid to see Hastings Pier immortalised in Lego blocks, visit https://ideas.lego.com/projects/158371.

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