THE long-awaited restoration of a disused former cokeworks site is expected to begin later this year.

A summer date is to be earmarked for the start of reclamation of contaminated land, more than 20 years after the closure of Lambton Cokeworks.

Tenders for the contract are now being considered to kick-start the clean-up prior to redevelopment of the site.

Situated near the Durham and Sunderland boundary, between Bournmoor and Shiney Row, it has stood derelict for two decades as plans for its future use were considered.

Part of the problem was the cost of any substantial clean-up, but it now appears ready for transformation thanks to Government cash funding for the £19m project.

Removing the dormant cokeworks residue is considered one of the biggest reclamation schemes to be staged in the region.

Although ovens and other plant buildings have long since been demolished, forthcoming work will include the removal of thousands of tonnes of contaminated soil.

English Partnerships, the redevelopment agency overseeing the scheme, app-roached local people for their views on the site's future.

It formed a liaison group after seeking volunteer representatives from communities including Bournmoor, Shiney Row, Fence Houses and the Sunniside and Burnside estates, near Houghton-le-Spring.

Other liaison group members included representatives of English Partnerships, the regional development agency One NorthEast, the Coalfield Forum, and Sunderland City Council.

Although the council is the designated site owner, One NorthEast is managing the reclamation. A One NorthEast spokesman said: "The tender for reclamation of the former cokeworks site is presently going through the European Union public procurement procedure.

"Once appointed, it is hoped the contractor will be able to commence the site reclamation in the summer."

The Government announced in March 1992 that the site was included in a £385m National Coalfields Programme to remove the legacy of years of coal mining and associated work.

Lambton was the scene of many years of heavy industry, including a brickworks, plus tile and gas production. It was one of 88 sites on the Government list for restoration, with the longer term proposals including the development of a range of housing and nature reserves.