Iconic square's demolition begins

The "Get Carter" car park will be demolished in early 2008

The long-awaited regeneration of a Tyneside town centre has begun with the demolition of a telephone exchange.

Gateshead's Trinity Square, which includes the iconic "Get Carter" car park, is being knocked down to make way for a new Tesco development.

The firm, which owns the square, is preparing a planning application to build a supermarket, apartments, cinema and cafes on the site.

The car park itself will not be demolished until January.

Tesco's development arm, Spenhill, will begin work on the multi-million pound scheme as soon as the market hall has been vacated.

The company has already carried out a series of public consultations around the town.

Trinity Square's stark concrete car park was made famous by the 1970s Tyneside-based movie, in which Sir Michael Caine's character throws a corrupt businessman from the roof.