CALLS are being made for a former office block to be demolished.

Neighbours say Hackworth House, in Byerley Road, Shildon, has become an eyesore that attracts vandalism in an area of the town where thousands of pounds has been spent on regeneration work.

Windows have been smashed, the car park to the rear of the building is full of rubble and there have been instances where people have broken in and squatted in the building.

Although the site has been designated for redevelopment, residents are beginning to voice concern about how long they will have to wait for the work to start.

The leader of Shildon Town Council, Councillor Garry Huntington, who represents the Byerley Ward, said he would do what he could to try to speed up the demolition of the building.

He said: "I realise that this is an area that has been giving a problem to the police and everybody else, including surrounding businesses.

"I will be contacting environmental health this week to see what can be done about speeding the demolition process up."

Planning permission has been granted for a two-storey nursing home on the site once it has been cleared.

It will provide short-term respite care and serve as a day centre for older people with mental health problems.

As well as encompassing a small courtyard, it will accommodate 55 bedrooms, a kitchen, dining and lounge facilities, two activity rooms and associated services.

Sergeant Steve Ball, of Shildon police, confirmed that his officers had been called to the building on several occasion.

He said: "We have had complaints from residents and local businesses.

"If you look at a building like that, with the windows broken and rubble strewn about at the rear, you do get the wrong impression, especially people who are visiting the town.

"Shildon is a very nice town and we don't want that sort of signal sending out. It would be advantageous to the local community as well as the police to have it pulled down as soon as possible.