Demolition work is set to start at a former Iceland store in Stoke-on-Trent next week, the city council has said.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has revealed that work to pull down the vacant building on Charles Street, Hanley, and to carry out site preparation and levelling work will begin on Monday 24 August and is expected to take around six weeks.

The demolition will pave the way for the first phase of the multi-million-pound Etruscan Square brownfield regeneration scheme, which is set to deliver housing and create a "more attractive and vibrant city centre".

The long-running supermarket closed its doors on Saturday 25 April to make way for the scheme.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for growth, regeneration and transport, said: "The start of demolition work at the former Iceland store marks another important milestone in bringing the long-awaited Etruscan Square brownfield regeneration project forward.

"These works will not only ensure we have no potential issues associated with an empty building but also prepare the ground for the first phase of development."

The work will require temporary footpath and partial road closures on Charles Street.

The council says local residents and businesses have been informed, and "every step" will be taken throughout the works to minimise disruption to adjacent homes and businesses.

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Cllr Gordon-McCusker added: "Etruscan Square is one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in Stoke-on-Trent, and it will help transform Hanley by delivering much-needed new homes, including affordable housing, while helping create a more attractive and vibrant city centre.

"We appreciate that there will be some temporary disruption during the demolition works, and we would like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience as we take this important step towards delivering the future vision for the site."

The council is working with partners PfP Igloo and Genr8 to deliver the Etruscan Square development with a phase 1 scheme of new, affordable homes.

The demolition will enable work to take place on this initial phase, which will be centred around the Iceland store and Charles Street Car Park area.

The council also hopes that the work being undertaken now will offset potential security, ASB and vandalism concerns, and reduce ongoing maintenance costs, connected to the vacant building.