Demolition work has begun at the former home of two sister dailies to make way for a new development of retirement homes.

Bulldozers have moved in to demolish the old office of the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star.

The site, on Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, is set to be transformed into a scheme of retirement living apartments and cottages by developer McCarthy & Stone.

It is hoped they will cater for the local over 65s population, which is predicted to rise by 54pc over the next 20 years.

Demolition work at Lower Brook Street

The company took over the site last October when staff at the EADT and Star moved into a new base at Portman House, on Princes Street, close to Ipswich Town Football Club’s Portman Road ground.

Portman House, which houses around 100 staff, was part of a complex of buildings once occupied by the Churchman and John Players cigar and cigarette company.

Lower Brook Street had been the EADT and Star’s home for 50 years at the time of the move.