DUDLEY'S embarrassing blot on the landscape Cavendish House is now living on borrowed time.

The derelict former high-rise office block is about to be flattened and replaced by a new supermarket complex.

Work will start in the coming months to demolish the towering landmark and borough bosses are delighted.

They believe the decision to crush Cavendish House will only help in the move to regenerate and breath new life into a run down area of the town.

Local Councillor Shaukat Ali, Dudley's former cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Cavendish House has been an iconic landmark in Dudley for all the wrong reasons and I'm delighted it will be going.

"It has been an eyesore in Dudley for far too long.

"The new development will help regenerate the whole area around Hall Street, which contains a number of derelict shops

"I was first elected to the St Thomas ward in 1999 and people were campaigning then to develop the site."

Once work begins, it's hoped it will help create hundreds of new jobs for local people.

The decision to embark on a new multi-million pound supermarket investment in the Cavendish Quarter follows hard on the heels of three new Dudley College buildings in the town together with a £6 million market place regeneration which is already taking place.

They will coincide with a multi-million pound development at Castle Hill, where there are plans to enhance the area into a regional leisure and tourist destination.

There are also a string of new developments taking place within the town which includes office accommodation at Holloway Chambers and Elizabeth House in addition to restoration work taking place at the former Co-Op building situated at the top of the High Street.

Cllr Ali added: "It's great news that developers want to invest in Dudley, especially as the town centre has been going through such a difficult time.

"I believe it will increase footfall into the town and I just hope the design blends in with the locality. People have been crying out for a new supermarket and regeneration of the whole area can only be good for Dudley."

Cllr David Sparks, the leader of Dudley Council, said: "We chose to develop the Cavendish site because it linked up well with the town centre and benefits existing businesses.

"This forms a hugely significant part of a multi-million pound package of developments for the town."