WORK has started to demolish an eyesore seven-storey 1960s office block that used to house Government departments in Taunton.

Preliminary work is being carried out at Quantock House in Taunton over the next few weeks before demolition experts move in and take down the construction one level at a time.

A care home will be built on the site, on the corner of Paul Street and Mary Street, facing the multi-storey car park.

Quantock House used to house the Valuation Office and Defra, but has been empty for several years and has deteriorated to such an extent that it has been surrounded by safety scaffolding to prevent parts of its collapsing.

It has been sold to Bournemouth-based investment and development property specialist the Quantum Group, who work in the retirement and nursing care sectors.

Taunton Deane Borough Council worked with Quantum over several months to tidy up a number of title issues arising from a time when the authority owned the site prior to 1962.

Deane House leader Cllr John Williams said: "As a council we are excited by the opportunity now offered to see this prominent town centre site utilised and provide a valuable new facility for Taunton."

A Quantum Group spokesman said it has designed and plans to build a brand new care home and associated extra care accommodation which will support independent living in older age.

He added: "We are really looking forward to undertaking this major investment in Taunton and creating an exemplar development.”