Knock-down work starts today, August 7, on a former Workington pub to make room for a significant overhaul of a town junction.

The old Henry Curwen pub at Ramsay Brow will be demolished, with no expected disruption for drivers.

A small section of footpath, located adjacent to the site, will be temporarily closed.

The tender to knock down the pub was won by Thompsons of Prudhoe, which has a base near Carlisle.

Removal of the building will ease a 'pinch point' where the A66 and A596 meet, freeing up access for HGVs and other large vehicles.

The main objective is to reduce journey times to key employment sites in north Workington and reduce the impact of HGV traffic on nearby communities.

This clearing act serves as essential preparation for the Workington Gateway project, a £10m venture that also features pedestrian and cycle route improvements in and around Hall Park.

The plan also includes a new horticultural centre and café for the West House social enterprise in the parkland's walled garden, along with a lighting scheme on the hall itself.

Workington Gateway is one of a number of projects in the town receiving a windfall of £33 million in external funds.

These projects range from a new Sports Village and Innovation Centre, to the development of a logistics and energy base at the Port of Workington.

Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council's executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: "This is an important scheme for the town in terms of future-proofing our transport networks and growing the west Cumbrian economy."