Demolition work has finally begun on a prominent former pub.

The Prince Albert in New Street, Ashford, has sat derelict since closing in 2008 and was gutted by a fire in 2014.

Contractors have now moved in on the site and have started knocking it down to make way for a new apartment block.

The site, which has rich history dating back to 1680, is to be flattened and replaced with 14 two-bedroom flats.

Kentish Express correspondent Steve Salter photographed the site this week.

He said: "The pub had been allowed to deteriorate.

"It was in a perfectly good state when it was last purchased but since the fire in 2014 it was allowed to deteriorate.

"I feel that the council did not act quickly enough, seeing as it was a listed building and part of the town's heritage."

The site was listed as a Grade II building in 1976 and was originally two pubs, the Prince Albert and the Prince of Orange.

Developers are to build a block of 14 two-bedroom flats over a mixed four and five-storey building on the site, which will also include a ground floor retail space.

The plans for the apartment block - which were put forward by applicant Whitehaven Estates - were approved by Ashford Borough Council last year.