Demolition work has begun at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, UK, the first phase of a redevelopment that will see a new grandstand and hotel built.

Contractors began knocking down the Rosebery Stand on Tuesday to make way for a new racecourse entrance pavilion.

Work to demolish the rest of the grandstand and build the new stand will start after the 2007 Derby in June.

"The support of the local community has been amazing," said racecourse managing director Stephen Wallis.

"We feel a responsibility to deliver a venue that the whole community will be proud of."

Planning permission has also been granted for a hotel on the site of the old paddock.

The final autumn race meeting, on 30 September, has been transferred to Kempton Park at Sunbury-on-Thames.

But the racecourse said other events planned for the Queen's Stand would go ahead.

General Demolition is in charge of the demolition of the Rosebery Stand