A “NINE year nightmare” is coming to a close as demolition gets under way at the “Ritz for Rats”.

Work has started to knockdown the St George’s Hotel on Bournemouth’s West Cliff.

The building in Westcliff Gardens has stood derelict for eight years and is in a state of disrepair, with no internal floors, missing windows, a cracked exterior and holes in the roof.

In the past it has been occupied by squatters and residents said it became a home for pigeons and rats.

Christchurch-based Libra Homes Ltd won permission to replace it with 16 residential flats in January.

The planning board removed a requirement that the site should be used for tourism.

Chris Colledge, chairman of the Westcliff Green Residents Association, said: “It’s been a nine year nightmare but now the company are starting work and it’s quite a step forward for the community.

“They have cleared the undergrowth – we can now see the sorry state of the building – and they are going to put hoarding up.”

Planning agent Tanner and Tilley said the saga showed that “persistence and a strong belief in your viability arguments will eventually pay off”.