WORK to demolish the former Market Precinct building in Farnworth is well-underway.

The empty site, owned by St Modwen, is being pulled down to make way for part of a multi-million pound regeneration scheme.

Some of the demolition has already been completed, with the next phase set to begin in the coming days.

The Market Precinct site is set to be transformed into a mixed use development under the town centre regeneration plans, which should be ready for residents to see later this year.

Cllr Paul Sanders said: "The demolition of the 1970s Farnworth Market Precinct building is making excellent process. The final wing of the former precinct, parallel with Market St businesses, will begin to come down in the coming days.

"The demolition has been met with residents' relief that something is finally happening on site, there are also many feelings of nostalgia seeing this as the end of an era and it's also fair to note that some remain unconvinced that regeneration will happen after the years we've been waiting for this.

"I do feel overall that the majority see this as progress and the tangible starting point of the regeneration. More important news about Farnworth Town Centre will be announced in the middle of September."

The demolition work, which began at the end of July, is part of the sales agreement between St Modwen and Bolton Council, with the purchase set to be completed once work has been carried out.

The cost of the site has not been made public, but a council officer previously spoke at Farnworth area forum to say the land was worth less than it was at the previous sale, when St Modwen bought the precinct for £4m in 2011.

Demolition is set to take around ten weeks, and will only see the structure away from the street flattened.

Asbestos specialists will be on site during the work, with the access way on Brackley Street closed off for safety.