Some tidying up work has begun at a former Otley pub that has been branded an eyesore.

The Summercross Inn has been standing empty and boarded up since 2009, when Westward Care won planning permission to convert it into a care home.

In March local councillors, Otley Pub Club and MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) repeated calls for the company to either get on with developing the Pool Road site, sell it, or clean it up.

Westward Care said at the time it was conscious of those concerns and that it would be taking action before the Tour de France – whose route passes the Summercross – arrives on Saturday, July 5.

On Wednesday workmen could be seen out tidying the plot and painting the building’s windows.