WORK is to start next week on the demolition of two buildings in a Teesside town centre.

Forum House, a derelict block of flats in East Precinct, Billingham, and La Ronde, a former nightclub in Rothbury Street, are being bulldozed in a regeneration scheme.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: "Consultation with residents and businesses showed they thought the removal of the two buildings would have a really positive visual impact on the town centre.

"We are continuing to work with the landowners, and developers Halladale, on proposals and are now at an advanced stage of development of options with Halladale."

The demolition of Forum House will start on Monday and is expected to be completed by July 14. During the work, a section of the adjacent car park will be closed. There will be full public access to Billingham Forum, Argos and the East Precinct.

The demolition of La Ronde is also to start on Monday, to be completed by July 31.

The ramp providing access to Kingsway House will be closed for nine weeks, from May 30 until July 31.

The staircase providing access from ground level on Rothbury Street to the Kingsway House car park will be closed from May 22 until July 17.

Both lanes of the section of Rothbury Street adjacent to La Ronde will be closed on three Sundays - June 11 and 25 and July 2.

Anyone with queries about council tax or business rates who is unable access Kingsway House via the stairs can discuss their accounts with staff at Billingham Housing Centre.

The office is located on the ground floor across from Argos.