Families on the former rundown estate which became famous as the setting of the film Rita, Sue and Bob Too were celebrating today after the council paved the way for the last eyesore to be demolished.

Bulldozers will flatten the parade of shops christened "Little Beirut", which was glimpsed in the film, and residents will now take part in a major consultation about its replacement.

They will get a £1.5 million scheme expected to include a chemist, post office, newsagent, fast food shop, hairdresser and mini market.

And the Ripple Drug Rehabilitation Project premises in the parade will also be replaced with a new state-of-the-art building containing extended facilities.

The Ripple Scheme is supported by Bradford South and West and Primary Care Trust and an application will be made for further funding from the National Lottery for its

£2 million redevelopment.

The council's executive committee agreed to release the proceeds from the sale of land in the area to the Royds Community Association to develop the new complex.

The association has spearheaded the regeneration of Buttershaw, Woodside and Delph Hill after receiving £22.2m from the Government's single regeneration budget in 1995.

Outside funding from the council and other organisations has boosted the sum to £100 million.

There have been widespread improvements and 723 jobs created.

The eyesore high-rise flats in Buttershaw, which featured in the controversial 1980s film, have been demolished and replaced by modern houses and the whole of the estate has been transformed.

Councillor Simon Cooke, executive member for corporate and regeneration said: "This will allow them to complete the master plan. An enormous amount of hard work has gone into Buttershaw and this is the last bit of the old, horrible environment."

Ward councillor Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey) who attended the meeting said: "It is the last bit of Rita, Sue and Bob Too. We are absolutely delighted."

A further 900 houses will also be built in the last stage of the regeneration, most of them in Buttershaw.