Efforts by the mayor of Copeland to transform eyesore buildings into regeneration sites have taken another stride forward.

Bulldozers and workers arrived at Red Lion pub in Egremont’s Main Street this week to begin demolishing the eyesore structure.

Copeland Council and Egremont Town Council has been pressing building owner David Cox for action over the site for several years.

Mr Cox had served Copeland Council with a notice of intended demolition order in May 2019.

Copeland mayor Mike Starkie hailed the start of the demolition on the prominently located building as a ‘momentous day for Egremont.

“I am committed to tackling dilapidated buildings in all our towns, and the start of this work in Egremont is another huge step forward,” he said.

“It will bring significant benefits for everyone who loves the town.

“Like the demolition of Mark House in Whitehaven, it is a painstaking process towards this improvement, but I will continue to work with owners and tenants to steer sites like the Red Lion from dilapidation into regeneration.”

The start of work was also welcomed by Egremont Town Council.

Its deputy chairman Sam Pollen said: “We now see this as the catalyst for a period of investment and opportunity in our town.”