A CITY centre eyesore that was seriously damaged by fire three years ago finally looks set to be redeveloped.

The former Labour Club on New Street was hit by fire in July 1999 and was partly demolished after the blaze.

The building had not been used as a Labour Club for several years before the incident, but has lain derelict ever since.

The remains are seen by everyone using the footbridge over City Walls Road from the St Martin's Gate car park.

But if Worcester City Council grants developers Selbourne Homes planning permission, the site will be transformed to provide 22, one and two-bedroom apartments fronting onto Windsor Row.

The developers say the proposal has a contemporary design but has been carefully planned to be sympathetic to this historic city centre location.

The proposal includes the conversion of the listed building fronting on to New Street into ground floor office accommodation with two luxury apartments above.

Selbourne Homes managing director Gavin Warr said the company was delighted to have the chance to clean up what was unanimously held to be a blot on the landscaped and provide high quality accommodation.

"This sort of development is right in line with the Government's planning guidance which aims to bring life back into our city centres by redeveloping brownfield sites and fits perfectly with our own specialist expertise in the area of urban regeneration," he said.

Demolition work will start immediately if planning permission is granted, and new accommodation could be on sale before the end of the year.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade launched an arson investigation after the fire.

The owners of the building submitted plans to redevelop the site as a new private members' club last September, but council officers preferred the idea of a development including houses and offices.