IT has been one of the most drawn out development sagas that St Helens can remember...but finally, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for West Point.

The former St Thomas’ Square site, on the opposite side of the dual carriageway from Cineworld cinema, has been regarded by many as one of the town’s biggest eyesores.

Plans for a leisure and shopping development have been in the pipeline for a decade but floundered during the recession.

They were resurrected by Orbit Developments in October 2013 after St Helens Council sold a section of the land it owned to the developer.

But even after January’s announcement that work was due to start it has been subject to further unexplained delays.

However, the development does appear to finally back on track with diggers seen on site doing groundworks and St Helens Council leader Barrie Grunewald joining Orbit bosses to promote that work was underway.

Cllr Grunewald said: “Supermarket giant Aldi has already committed to the project, with leisure facilities and restaurants to follow as well as parking for up to 230 cars.

“Just as importantly it could generate up to 280 valuable jobs for the people of St Helens.

“There are also plans to link the new area to the rest of the town centre with a new ‘Puffin’ road crossing.”