THE bulldozers have moved in to clean up a derelict racing track which has been an eyesore since a blaze gutted the stadium two years ago.

Members of Sedgefield Borough Council voted for its contractors to clear the greyhound stadium, at Spennymoor, after it was bombarded with complaints likening the site to Beirut.

The council's cabinet member responsible for regeneration, Councillor Bill Waters, said: "We have been waiting long enough for that site to be tidied up. It's been an absolute disgrace for far too long.''

Coun Waters said that the council's actions would serve as a warning to anyone who has let a site get into a state of disrepair, because the council was aiming to clean up the whole of the borough.

A waste land notice was served on the track in April last year, requiring the removal of rubble, waste and dilapidated fences, and demolition of the buildings.

Property advisor GVA Grimley took over the site after the original owner went into liquidation.

It cleared a large amount of rubble and waste and put up a barrier to prevent fly-tipping.

But, according to the council, no work has been done since May 16, and council officials decided to take action and finish the job.

Coun Water said that yesterday's clean-up had already made the site look better, although the work was not finished.

He said that the council had offered to buy the land and was looking to attract some sort of sporting or leisure facility to the area.

The cost of the clean-up, estimated at about £8,000, will be recouped when the land is sold or developed.