SHEPHERD Construction has won a £437,000 contract to build a new pub in Consett.

Shepherd will construct the shell of the J D Wetherspoon Ale, Wine and Food Bar, after being awarded the contract by Dysart Developments.

Dysart are behind Project Genesis, the £100m redevelopment of the former Consett steelworks, Europe's largest regeneration project.

Shepherd is currently undertaking a £6.5m contract for the new Derwentside College development, also part of Project Genesis.

Work has already began on the Wetherspoon's contract, with groundwork preparation for the foundations being undertaken on Front Street in the town centre site.

The next stage of the project will involve the erection of steelwork, brickwork and roofing.

Shepherd will work on the scheme until May, with the new facility due to open in August.