AT the age of 87 Les Greathead has tried his hand at a new career - as a demolition man.

Mr Greathead used to live at the Orchard House sheltered housing scheme, in Brompton, Northallerton.

And when he was invited back it was not for nostalgic reasons, but to help knock it down.

Orchard House, managed by Broadacres Housing Association, was a complex of 17 flats and 21 bedsits, which was built in the late 1970s by Hambleton District Council.

But with some communal bathrooms and a common room the bedsits have become increasingly difficult to let and the scheme was not particularly wheelchair friendly.

Broadacres had considered refurbishing the complex, but decided it would not be cost effective and would probably only be a short-term solution.

During the next four weeks the existing complex is to be demolished to make way for a £3.135m development.

The scheme will meet all the current standards in terms of access, space and energy efficiency and comprises 34 flats and three bungalows.

"The new development will offer flexibility for any changing needs well into the 21st Century," said spokesman Janet Mazurk.

Building work will start in September and is expected to take a year to complete.