A team of specialist contractors will be drafted in to clear the former Maze prison site at Long Kesh.

The area has been earmarked for regeneration, having formally housed a jail and a World War II army base.

International consultants White Young Green has been appointed to manage the clean-up operation.

A multi-disciplinary team of specialist consultants from the firm has been working on the site near Lisburn since 2005.

WYG has played a key role in devising a strategy for the regeneration of the site, which has been designated an area of regional strategic importance.

The Northern Ireland Executive has placed sustainability as a key objective of the project.

The proposed remediation works include in-situ and ex-situ treatment of hydrocarbon impacts in soil and groundwater and addressing risks from asbestos impacts.

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A tender process is currently underway to procure a contractor to undertake the work, in partnership with WYG, which has a planned start date of December 2009.

Works were completed at the site last year to remove lead-shot from the former shooting ranges on the site.

Michael Boyd, Director at WYG Ireland, said: "We have worked with our client to establish a remediation strategy that allows flexibility of land use in the subsequent development of a masterplan for the site.

"We have done this without entailing excessive remediation costs and fulfilling the sustainability objectives of the project, thus maximising future opportunities."

The consultants have worked closely with the Office of First and Deputy First Minister carrying out extensive ground investigation works, groundwater monitoring and detailed quantitative risk assessments, the outputs of which have informed the remediation strategy.

Mr Boyd said regeneration work of this type is really important in Northern Ireland.

"It's essential that we develop brownfield sites like Maze / Long Kesh, in a sustainable manner, so that we make best use of previously developed land whilst also providing an area that people can appreciate, use and enjoy for years to come."

(PR/GK)