DEMOLITION work has started on an arson-plagued derelict building - thanks to the persistent campaigning of a teenage girl.

Emily Warrillow lobbied since October 2014 for the former Maccess office site, on the corner of Spen Lane and Nibshaw Lane, Gomersal, to be knocked down.

The eyesore building had been described as a "nightmare" by fed-up locals. It had been set on fire numerous times over the years, had smashed windows, graffiti daubed on it, and was surrounded by rubble, metal fencing and overgrown vegetation.

Demolition workers have now moved onto the site after Kirklees Council planners approved an application to build 36 apartments in two blocks in the building's place.

Emily, 14, paid the site a visit as demolition work was due to start.

She said of the decision of planners to get rid of the building: "I could not stop crying when I found out. We drove past it and I got emotional.

"I am still quite shocked. I am very proud it is me that has done it. I am glad it has been dealt with.

"Maccess has been good about it and opened doors for me."

Emily said "anything but that building" would be better on the site.

Her mum, Christine Warrillow, said the new apartment was apparently going to be

Mrs Warrillow added: "Emily has been amazing. She has put a lot of hard work in, and her little sister, Katie, and I are so proud.

"For the past two months she has been emailing and ringing for information on planning status weekly.

"Emily now wants to share her opportunities with others by doing an Insight into Politics Day for high schools in Batley and Spen. She will hopefully have local councillors there from different parties as well as guest speakers Jo Cox MP and Andy Burnham MP. She has put a full presentation together herself.

"We can't wait to see what she is going to do over the next few years. This is just the start!

"She is just so happy and proud and looking forward to new projects."

Emily, who attends Whitcliffe Mount School in Cleckheaton, said the experience had made her even more determined to work in politics. She said: "My ambition is to be a politician for the Labour Party. I want to get into politics."

The teenager started her campaign - which included writing to the building's previous owner and presenting a petition to Kirklees Council - after going to a mothers' union meeting and asking Ms Cox (Lab), Councillor Simon Alvy (Lab, Liversedge & Gomersal) and former Kirklees Council candidate Cath Pinder if the building could become a youth provision.

The approved planning application for the new apartment blocks was submitted by developer Swift Properties.