A DEMOLITION notice has now been received for an eye-sore building in Egremont including the building that sits next to it.

Bulldozers and workers arrived at the site of the Red Lion, in Main Street, to begin work to demolish the structure last week.

Copeland Council has now received a demolition noticed from David Cox for the buildings adjoining the former Red Lion.

This came after Copeland Council and Egremont Town Council had been putting pressure on Mr Cox to take action on the site for several years.

Copeland Council has now issued a counter-notice to acknowledge they have received the demolition notice from Mr Cox, although he doesn't need permission from the council to demolish his buildings, he just needs to notify them of his intentions so they can place conditions on the demolitions if appropriate.

Commenting on the new development, Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, said: "Following the news that the demolition team has arrived on site at the Red Lion, this is further welcome news in the redevelopment of this prominent site in Egremont.

"We will keep our residents updated as this development progresses."

The demolition notice received this week is for number 4 and 5 Market Place, formerly Tommy Kelly's clothes shop and, like Red Lion, have been vacant for many years.

This means that all building between Retreat, beauty salon, and The Blue Bell pub are set for demolition.

Egremont Town Council was equally pleased that demolition work has started.

Deputy chairman Sam Pollen of Egremont town council said: "We now see this as the catalyst for a period of investment and opportunity in our town."