CONSTRUCTION work is under way on a housing estate on the site of the former Consett steelworks.

Barratt Newcastle is building 120 executive homes in Berry Edge, Consett, part of the Genesis site where the former British Steel plant once stood.

The company, working with civil engineering contractor and consultants Hellens Contracts and White Young Green Environmental, spent £2.8m decontaminating the site and demolition work on the old buildings finally began in May.

Now, construction workers have moved on site and are preparing to start building.

Colin Mathieson, technical manager of Barratt Newcastle, said: "It is fitting that a site which had for so long held such importance to local people should now be given a new lease of life for much-needed housing.

"The development has generated tremendous interest and we have already sold 12 homes."

The steelworks contributed to some of the most famous landmarks in Britain and the world, including Blackpool Tower and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

It closed in 1980 - after more than a century of production - with the loss of 3,700 jobs.

Barratts angered residents last month when it sent in contractors to cut up a giant crucible used in the smelting process that had stood on the site for more than 120 years.

The company had looked into hiring a crane to move the piece, but found it would cost about £220,000.

Instead, Barratt has agreed to clean and mount the remaining, smaller crucible, at a cost of more than £20,000.