A PONTOON will be attached to a historic pier in a bid to attract tourists travelling by boat.

Last night Gravesham Council’s plans to build a detachable pontoon with a ticket kiosk alongside Gravesend Town Pier off West Street were approved by its regulatory board.

The council expects the pontoon to be used by ferries and pleasure crafts, from London and other places, containing tourists wanting to visit Gravesend.

It is part of the council’s plans to boost the borough’s tourism industry by capitalising on the 2012 Olympics by attracting sightseers who are visiting nearby Stratford for the London Games.

Council leader Councillor Mike Snelling said: “The Olympic Games in London is a once in a lifetime event and Gravesham is determined not to let this golden opportunity pass us by.

“The borough’s unique position and fast transport links to Stratford by road, rail and river, make it ideally placed to capitalise on the opportunity.”

Only last month the pier, which is the oldest cast iron one in the world, re-opened to the public when the restaurant and bar on it, Riva, opened again under new management.

The pier had closed in March when Riva shut down after it’s tenants at the time, Q Breweries, went into administration.

With its views across the Thames, the council expects the pier and restaurant to play a part in attracting visitors.

A cruise liner terminal is also in the pipeline, so moored boats can act as floating hotels during the Olympics, and the council is also seeking developers to build hotels on land.

Promoting visitor attractions, such as St George's Church in Church Street, which is believed to be the burial site of legendary Native American princess Pocahontas, is also part of the strategy.

Town Pier was bought by the council in 2000, and restoration work began with the assistance of grants from organisations including English Heritage and Kent County Council.

The restoration work has won the council a host of awards.