WORK to clear old buildings from the site of a former Huddersfield chemical works is nearing completion.

Developers said the last of the buildings, which formed part of Holliday Dyes and Chemicals, would be demolished by Christmas.

At the same time, work is continuing on new buildings for the business park which will take its place on the sprawling 30-acre site at Leeds Road, Deighton.

A £20m scheme to turn the site into Trident Business Park is being spearheaded by Leeds-based property developer Landmark Development projects.

The site will house a 380,000sq ft headquarters and distribution centre for discount retailer Poundstretcher.

Landmark director Richard Morton said work was now well under way on Poundstretcher's massive distribution centre.

Planning approval had also been given by Kirklees Council for a car showroom fronting Leeds Road and an application had been lodged for a manufacturing unit on land behind that.

Trident Business Park is expected to bring more than 500 jobs to Huddersfield.

Poundstretcher expects to open its head office in June and the distribution centre in January, 2005.

The site - bordered by the trans-Pennine railway line and the river Colne - was put up for sale in February, 2001, by Holliday's parent group Yule Catto.

At the time, Yule Catto said Holliday's could no longer compete with overseas manufacturers.