WORK is to begin on rebuilding a town centre amusement arcade almost a year after arsonists gutted the building.

The business on Front Street, Chester-le-Street, was damaged by the blaze in February. But plans to redevelop the building had to be put on hold while the district council applied to the Government to get the 18th century building listed.

The council's bid failed after the Department for Culture, Media and Sport decided not to list the building, saying it was not 'of sufficient architectural or historic interest' to merit such status being given.

The back of the building had already been bulldozed as it was so badly damaged, but the facade was kept in place in case it had to be carefully renovated.

Now that too will be replaced.

Owner Jason Noble said: "We're starting to build a new building at the back. Once that's up we'll demolish the front and finish the building off.

"It's going to be a complicated process and time consuming, but the finished plans will be in keeping with the buildings on the Front Street. In fact it will look almost the same.

"It's been a long and worrying time not knowing what will happen next."

Mr Noble also brought in an archaeologist to check they would not be building over anything of historical interest.

The road the building is situated on follows the route of a Roman road.

Chester-le-Street's historic beginnings have provided motivation for a bid by the council to turn the town centre into a conservation area.