AN eyesore beside a popular beach is finally being knocked down.

The demolition of Millendreath's derelict pub and shop has signalled the start of the regeneration of the holiday village in the valley near Looe.

The adjacent club will also be knocked down, opening the way for building works to begin on the early phases of new holiday homes.

The buildings being demolished have been in a poor state of repair for many years. Rick Gibbs, managing director of The Millendreath Project, said: 'The project team and residents alike are delighted that works have begun, albeit with a tinge of nostalgia for memories of childhood holidays in this once-thriving resort, where this building played a major part.

'We are now looking forward to bringing a new life to the valley with a wide range of new facilities to serve a larger resort community.

'In the coming weeks, we will be submitting our detailed application for planning permission for waterside holiday homes with views across the beach and bay to the east, an iconic resort facilities building and the first contemporary hillside homes on the east side of the valley.'

The site is being developed by Espalier which funds, develops and implements residential, educational and commercial schemes across the UK.

Millendreath grew in the 1950s and 1960s as a relatively upmarket holiday resort with a restaurant, cabins, caravans and recreational facilities.

A number of houses were built on the eastern side of the valley, which remain today.

In the 1960s, consent was granted for 280 holiday chalets and 176 were built with a pub and club.

The pub and club closed many years ago, while the chalets are still occupied.