A CRUMBLING army building is to be demolished to make way for seven factory units.

Traders and residents were delighted yesterday about the upgrade for the Stainton Grove industrial estate, near Barnard Castle.

A number of workshop units have been put up on the estate in the last decade, but there have been many protests about brick wartime structures nearby.

Durham County Council is proposing to knock down the biggest of the outdated buildings and erect units which can be rented out to businesses.

County officials have applied to Teesdale District Council for consent for the scheme, and no opposition is expected. Teesdale planning officer Andrew Bishop said: "This is very good news."

A number of small firms have asked in recent years for more factory units at Stainton Grove as they did not want to move into any of the ex-military units.

A county council spokesman said yesterday that if permission is granted, the work will go ahead as soon as possible.