DEMOLITION teams have moved in to remove familiar brewery buildings from a city's skyline.

New owners Tesco have begun to raze the remaining buildings on the Vaux Breweries site in the centre of Sunderland.

The site has stood dormant for more than three years since the Vaux closure in July 1999, while discussions have taken place over what would replace the brewery.

Tesco said the levelling of the site could take several months and a planning application over its future use is expected to be made later in the year.

The company has yet to reveal its plans for the site, although Sunderland City Council has a vision for a mix of leisure, retail and residential use on what is seen as a key part of the central regeneration.