ONE of Sussex's oldest swimming baths is about to be demolished.

The Devonshire Baths at Eastbourne, a classic Victorian indoor pool once a popular venue in the town, was shut 20 years ago.

It rapidly became rat infested and vandals destroyed many of its period features.

Preparation work has started before the baths are pulled down to make way for a multi-million pound luxury block of 89 flats.

The scheme is part of an urban regeneration programme aimed at improving the town's tourist-pulling seafront.

Eastbourne-based builders Llewellyn has begun recruiting local labour for the job of demolishing the baths in Carlisle Road.

Judy Llewellyn-Burke, joint managing director of the firm with an annual turnover of £130 million, said: "We hope to start the flats before the end of the year.

"But the economic climate has to be right in Eastbourne. Unlike a new development of houses, we cannot start selling flats until the whole block is finished.

"At the moment, we want to tell people living in the area that we are demolishing the baths."

The scheme marks the end of two decades of uncertainty over the future of the baths. Some in the town called for their renovation.

Eastbourne Borough Council spokesman Henry Branson said: "The council gave Llewellyn planning consent and are now very interested to see the site developed as soon as possible.

"We are encouraged that Llewellyn has begun demolition work."

Llewellyn, with 800 staff, is currently working with the Warden Housing Association and the council to develop a training and accommodation centre for the homeless and out-of-work in St Leonards Road, Eastbourne.

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