Work has started on the Highland Council's Caithness headquarters at Market Place, Wick.

The building is being demolished in preparation of a new £8m development of the town centre site.

The existing building will be replaced by modern Council office accommodation.

Morgan Sindall has been awarded a contract to carry out the redevelopment, while their subcontractors, Munros, have removed the building's windows and fittings in recent weeks to allow demolition to begin.

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When completed, the new building – alongside the refurbished Stafford Place Buildings – will house 140 Council staff that are currently working in a number of offices across the town. It will be constructed with three floors to the front and two floors to the rear of the building.

It is understood staff currently based at High Street and Rhind House will move into the new facility.

A total of 80 staff have relocated to Government Buildings, at Girnigoe Street, while construction work gets underway.

The project is due for completion in early 2015.

(JP/MH)