HOTEL giant Premier Inn has started work on a new hotel in Birkenhead that will create 30 jobs.

The 67-bedroom building, in the Crown Prosecution Service's former premises on Conway Street, is due to open early next year.

Part of the existing building will be removed, while the remainder will be retained and converted into hotel rooms.

The development was approved by Wirral's planning committee in 2012.

Nicholas Johnston, acquisition manager for the leisure firm, said: "We are delighted to be starting work on our new Premier Inn hotel in Birkenhead.

"This is great news for the local area as the new Premier Inn will create new jobs and help to attract additional visitors to the area, increasing trade for existing local retailers and businesses.

"Our new hotel will secure the long-term active future of this prominent site on Conway Street and create 30 new local jobs, including full and part-time positions."