A VANDALISED building that once symbolised the glory of North-East industry is to be demolished.

The former regional headquarters of ICI at Billingham, near Stockton, will be demolished to make way for a garden centre.

The 1950s building, called Billingham House, dominates the skyline of Billingham.

A generation ago, its destruction would have been unthinkable as it was the centre of an industry that employed more than 30,000 people across the Tees Valley.

Since the building was abandoned by ICI in the 1990s, it has become a target for vandals and has been used by squatters and travellers.

Developer Bizzy Bee was granted permission to demolish the building by Stockton Borough Council on Friday.

David Kitchen, of Bizzy Bee, said: "I remember going there myself in the early 1970s for meetings.

"It was the kingpin place in Billingham then, but times have definitely changed.

"Now we just hope future development can help improve Billingham."

Local historian Robert Harbron said the previous centre of ICI's massive operation on Teesside was Chilton House, at Rievaulx Avenue, in Billingham, which was opened by the Prince of Wales in the 1930s.

He said: "It was a very sad day when ICI effectively abandoned this area.

"ICI saved this area from total economic devastation after the decline of shipbuilding and the steelworks in the late-1920s, and was a great family employer for thousands of people."

Kevin Pitt, chairman of the Billingham Partnership Board, welcomed the news and said the whole area should be redeveloped.

Stockton Borough Council planning committee agreed to approve outline permission for owners Bizzy Bee for a garden centre on part of the site.

As well as the garden centre, the developers hope to build a smaller 110,000ft sq office block.

Previous plans to knock down part of Billingham House, which has a floor space of 156,000ft sq, and create a call centre were abandoned partly for safety reasons because the building contains asbestos.

Nearly 1,000 people, many former ICI workers, are still employed in the chemical industry at companies in Billingham and Wilton, near Redcar.