ONE of Huddersfield’s best known districts is set to enjoy a new lease of life.

The centre of Sheepridge has been turned from “an eyesore” into an attractive place serving the local community.

And the massive facelift is proving a tangible boost to an area with a somewhat troubled past.

The transformation follows a cash injection and months of work by Deighton and Brackenhall Initiative (DBI).

Work started at the beginning of the year on a scheme to improve and restore pride in the rundown village centre along Sheepridge Road.

Shops have been given new doors, windows and matching signs. Stone houses and walls have been renovated and cleaned.

Semi-derelict properties between the Post Office and main shopping parade have been demolished. In their place is a smart new car park serving local residents and businesses.

The boarded-up former Gaukrodgers bakery was bought by DBI and re-opened as a sandwich and pastry shop in spring. The new Gaukrodgers now employs four local people and is busy every day.

DBI’s chief officer Andi Briggs said: “It is absolutely fantastic. Everyone agrees that the area has been completely transformed.

“We have demolished the eyesore buildings and renovated others and we are very pleased with the result. It has been a long time in the planning, although the actual work only started earlier this year.

“We have employed local builders and they have been excellent. They have enabled us to achieve a lot in such a short space of time.”

“The feedback from local residents and businesses is that they are really, really impressed with the whole area. It looks so much brighter and more attractive.”

The building renovation and demolition works cost in the region of £500,000.

It is the latest phase of the DBI master plan, first published in 2001, to regenerate the Brackenhall and Riddings estates and Deighton and Sheepridge areas.