Plans to build houses and shops on the site of an asbestos-riddled former power station have been unveiled.

Hastings Borough Council bought the disused Broomgrove Power Station last year after its owners failed to clean up the site.

The building was left in a dangerous state after fire ripped through it in May, showering asbestos fragments over the neighbouring Farley Bank and Broomgrove housing estates.

Council contractors began demolishing the building on December 4 and work is now under way to remove all traces of asbestos.

A total of 6,000 asbestos tiles are being removed by workers wearing respirators and protective suits.

Each tile has to be carefully unscrewed and then sealed in a plastic bag.

The council has submitted plans to build homes, businesses, community buildings, shops and open spaces on the site.

If approved by its planning committee, the complex will also include internal roads, car parks and an access road.

The council believes the project, which is still in its early stages, is vital to rejuvenate the Broomgrove area.

It would be one of several regeneration schemes being carried out in the Ore Valley area, including building houses and improving transport links. An outline planning application will be considered on March 28.

If approved, applications would then have to be made setting out the scheme in much greater detail.

The project is being paid for by Government regeneration money, which is administered by the South East England Development Agency.

Council leader Jeremy Birch said: "Removing the asbestos and demolishing Broomgrove Power Station is the first stage of the move to regenerate this part of Hastings and St Leonards.

"The grand design for the Ore Valley includes developing Ore station as a major access point for residents and employers and for retail and commercial use around the site.

"This is a whole project for the regeneration of this area which the entire community there deserves."