Work to repair a building which partially collapsed in Holywood, Co Down, has started.

The work at 1 Stewart's Place was due to begin over a month ago and the Bangor Road remains closed.

Alliance North Down Councillor Andrew Muir said he is glad to see the work has finally commenced.

However, he said the three-day delay over the bank holiday weekend is to be condemned, as it caused more suffering for Holywood traders and residents.

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Cllr Nuir said: "As the shoring work continues, I will continue to pressure the Council and developer to get it concluded without delay, while exploring longer-term options to get the road fully reopened, the building stabilised and normality resumed.

"Serious lessons must be learnt after this debacle, including the lack of action due to the largely informal approach adopted by the authorities. I will therefore be requesting a full report on the issue once the road is eventually reopened in order to ensure this situation is never allowed to reoccur."

(CD)