A FORMER British Legion club is finally being demolished, years after having become an eyesore.

Workmen have moved into the building in Railway Road, Adlington, to begin the task of stripping asbestos before the former club is pulled down.

Chorley Council has spent months trying to stop the premises falling into disrepair but now says it has become a danger to passers-by.

The Jersey-based offshore trust which owns the building had been persuaded to make it secure in the past, but vandals continued to break in.

The council will now make a compulsory purchase order on the land to ensure it does not remain empty and become an even worse eyesore.

A housing development is likely to be built in its place after plans were submitted to the council.

Cllr Steve Holgate, Executive member for Commercial Development and Property, said: "I am sure everyone in Adlington will be happy to see an end to this long running and drawn out saga.

"As a council we tried to reach a satisfactory solution with the owners, but when that failed we felt it necessary to act in the best interests of local people.

"For now though we would ask people to stay away from the site while the demolition work is under way.

"We are especially urging parents to make sure that their children are aware of the dangers and to ensure that they do not play in the immediate area."