The regeneration of South Shields Riverside has reached a key milestone with the scheduled demolition of one of the town's major eyesores.

The former Circatex plant has stood empty since it closed its doors in March 2006.

Since the chemical processes used in the plant rendered it unusable for other industries it has become a magnet for vandals and now stands derelict.

The Eldon Street factory's demolition is a major landmark for the South Shields Riverside project, which is being developed jointly between One NorthEast, which is funding the £500,000 demolition scheme, and South Tyneside Council.

The Riverside project will see the creation of five new neighbourhoods running along the river from South Shields town centre, contributing to the ongoing renaissance of the Tyne corridor.

By opening up the waterfront the regeneration project aims to reconnect the town centre and communities with the riverside creating a high quality, sustainable mixed use area which can help turn around the image of South Tyneside.

Neil Graham, head of regeneration north at One NorthEast, said: "The removal of the former Circatex plant is a major milestone in this project, but just as importantly it removes a derelict building from the South Shields riverside that has become a blot on the landscape since it closed down over two years ago and will turn it into an exciting development opportunity.

"The building demolition will be completed in November, 2008 and the site will then be levelled and seeded pending future redevelopment.

"Residents can be assured that while it is a lengthy process all efforts will be made to ensure demolition and decontamination work has the minimum amount of impact on them."