A DERELICT pub in a town centre has been demolished.

The old Lord Byron in Seaham has been knocked down after intervention from Durham County Council planning enforcement officers and local ward county councillors.

The eyesore, which was in the Seaham Conservation Area, stood derelict on Hawthorn Street from 2014 until its recent demolition.

It had become a major issue for many local residents as it attracted anti-social behaviour to the area.

This is a part of the council’s new approach to regenerating towns and villages that was agreed at cabinet last month.

Cllr Kevin Shaw said: “We are aware of the concerns of the local community who we work very closely with and having removed this blight we will continue until we achieve positive outcomes on other similar sites in the local area.”

The demolition means the land can now be regenerated and makes way for future developments such as housing.

Cllr Carl Marshall said: “This example in Seaham shows that our approach has already been successful in bringing about physical improvements and regeneration of one of our main centres.”