Demolition crews are expected to begin razing the 1970s Petergate block to the ground next week.

It will mark the start of a massive demolition and construction programme leading to the

opening of the £300 million Broadway shopping scheme in 2008.

Our exclusive picture gives a bird's eye view above the hoardings of shop and office units in the banana-shaped block being stripped ready for the bulldozers.

Fittings, doors, windows and shop fronts are being pulled out by demolition contractors DSM.

The block will eventually be replaced by a huge state-of-the-art department store expected to be occupied by Debenhams when the centre opens.

The top high street chain would be the anchor tenant in the vast scheme expected to bring

millions of shoppers to the city.

The complex will also include another

department store, about 80 shops, more than 180 apartments, offices, restaurants and spaces for 1,800 vehicles.

The Petergate block has been described as a major planning catastrophe because it spoiled the views of historic Little Germany and cut it off from the rest of city.

But it will be pulled down floor by floor in the traditional method used to remove Midland House and Forster house 18 months ago in preparation for the scheme.

Westfield -the world's biggest shopping centre operator - will both build and manage the complex which it cherry-picked from the portfolio of the former developers, Stannifer, last year.

Full planning permission has already been given for Broadway but amendments which include using a seven storey car park above the shopping centre for all but service vehicles will go to Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee next week.

Westfield also proposes changing proposals for a hotel in favour of apartments and removing a footbridge spanning Hall Ings from the revised plans.

Officers are recommending support for the changes, with conditions including providing a public art feature, a car park management plan and security and crime prevention measures including close circuit television.

The application will be referred to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott but planning officers are advising members to tell Mr Prescott they want it to be approved.

In a report to the committee planning chief Chris Hughes says the scheme could bring dramatic change and benefit to the city centre.

Members will be told Bradford Centre Regeneration - the joint venture group spearheading the rebirth of the city - sees Broadway as a catalyst to other major development.

The shopping centre is also expected to bring thousands of jobs during construction and later in the retail centre and the first three workers have already been taken on by demolition company DSM.

Neil Maclure, Westfield development executive, said: "Work is progressing well with the site preparation works and we expect the first phase to be completed on schedule.

"Now that the safety hoardings are up around the whole site the scale of the project has become much clearer to everyone using the city centre.

"This is a huge undertaking and we are still only in the early stages of the scheme, but we are delighted by the positive comments from local people we have had so far."

The Council's executive member for regeneration, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: "It is

very good news that the demolition is starting and the scheme appears to be progressing. I am delighted."