JUBILANT Wirral campaigners are planning a street party to celebrate the sweeping away of a community eyesore and its replacement with a development of new homes and shops.

Demolition of a block of ugly flats and maisonettes in Town Meadow Lane, Moreton, will begin on February 20 – marking the end of a 12-year campaign to remove a blot on the landscape.

Campaign leader Cllr Chris Blakeley has invited local residents to a Valentine’s Day celebration to give the new venture a rousing send-off.

He said: "I hope people will join me in celebrating this long-overdue development that will bring a massive £3m investment to our town. The local community is delighted with the scheme – everyone has been behind it.

"It has been a long road – a 12-year campaign – to get these eyesores knocked down."

Senior officers from Wirral Partnership Homes will join the celebrations.

Assistant development director Steve Eaves said: "This will be a great development for Moreton and I am sure it will be very popular.

"We have been working very closely with the residents and shop keepers in particular.

"We are very proud that we are able to provide three brand new shops as part of the development."

The project will include a mix of two and four-bedroom bungalows and two, three and four-bedroom houses.

Mr Eaves said that the properties would be advertised for potential residents in about six months time.