Work has started on plans to change the face of a rundown housing estate.

Contractors were given the green light this morning to start demolishing the first phase of Golding Homes' renovation of Park Wood.

The social housing provider plans to destroy 234 flats off Wallis Avenue and replace them with 185 homes, which will mainly be family houses.

The proposal include a new shopping parade and leisure facilities.

Pick up a copy of this Friday's Kent Messenger for more photos from the demolition.