DEMOLITION of a dangerous building where children have been “dicing with death” will finally begin on Monday.

Southend Council has moved urgently to raze the Avro and Viking Centre, in Avro Road, Eastwood, to the ground after children were spotted running on the roof which could “collapse at any time”.

The building, which was previously a day-care service for adults with mental health problems and learning disabilities, is plagued with asbestos and Raac.

A seven-week demolition project will begin on Monday but it is unclear what the space will be used for once complete.

Southend Council has stated the priority is knocking the building down and residents will then be consulted on plans.

Lydia Hyde, Labour councillor responsible for the St Laurence Ward, said: “We have had issues at site and so it needs to be demolished.

“It is not something we can keep with the Raac issues, and earlier in the year we had lots of break-ins and anti-social behaviour problems.

“So, it is really good to see this work is finally happening, and over the next seven weeks we will see it taken down.

“Tru Demolition Ltd will be undertaking the work, with contact details displayed on the hoardings.”

Earlier this year, fears were raised that youngsters were “dicing with death” after running on the roof the building.

This followed a series of break-ins and antisocial behaviour on the site.

Ms Hyde said that a decision has yet to be made on how the space will be utilised once the building has been demolished.

She added: “It is still to be decided, but any ideas we will discuss with residents first to make sure the community gets a say in what is going to happen there.

“The first priority was to just make the area safe.”

Tru Demolition Ltd will now begin demolition works on Monday.

Services based at the centre have since been relocated and plans have been submitted for the building to be demolished.