Demolition work has started at the former Zoots nightclub and Pilot cinema in King's Lynn.

Planning permission was granted last year for 25 affordable homes to be built on the nearly derelict site.

The 1930s Art Deco building, off John Kennedy Road, once known as the Pilot cinema and Zoots nightclub, is being demolished as part of the development.

The site has not been used since Zoots closed its doors in 2008, just nine years after it opened following a £2m refurbishment.

The development is being carried out for housing association Freebridge Community Housing, working in partnership with Wellington Construction.

A mixture of one and two-bedroom houses and flats will be built on the site, with work expected to take up to a year.

Colin Davison, director of property at Freebridge, said: 'We are now focused on and excited about the future for this part of town.

'To be able to build new purpose-built flats and homes for people who really need them is very important to Freebridge.

'This is an exciting opportunity to turn a near-derelict building into homes that will look after families for generations to come.'

Paul Pitcher, managing director of Wellington, said the new homes would fit perfectly into the landscape of the town.

The proposal for the site was unanimously approved by West Norfolk Council's planning committee last November.

A previous proposal for 28 homes on the site had been refused by the council, which said it was a case of overdevelopment and lacked car parking space.

The new site will have car parking for each of the homes and a new junction will be put in place, to include traffic lights.

The Pilot cinema was built by local builder Ben Culey in 1938 and closed in 1983.

The site has also been used as a rollerskating rink and a garden centre.

Do you have any memories of using the building when it was a skating rink, Zoots nightclub or Pilot cinema? Email reporter david.bale2@archant.co.uk