A DERELICT crisp factory targeted by arsonists is to be demolished this week, as work starts to turn it into a new supermarket.

The former Seabrook Crisps site at Allerton has officially been handed over to budget retailer Aldi today.

As part of the deal, Seabrook is getting the factory pulled down, with demolition crews due to start work this week.

Once the old factory is levelled, Aldi will build a 1,550sq m supermarket and car park on the site, with work due to be finished by this time next year.

The development is set to create up to 40 retail jobs, as well as further construction jobs during the build.

The site, in Allerton Road, has been vacant since 2004 and suffered a major blaze in May last year, which destroyed the third floor and roof of the derelict building.

Seabrook Crisps chief executive Jonathan Bye said: "The sale completion marks a major milestone in our efforts to rejuvenate the site and we are pleased to be able to hand over the land to Aldi with the prospect of more investment and jobs for the local area.

"The sale also enables Seabrook to move forward with our own plans to further invest in our business.

"We’d like to thank Bradford Council for their continued support in recent years whilst we looked for a solution to turn the Allerton Road site into a positive for the local community."

Mike Clarke, Aldi's regional property director, said: "We are delighted to have completed the purchase and look forward to bringing our unrivalled combination of top quality products and unbeatable value to the local area in 2016."

Aldi already has stores in Bradford, Shipley and Keighley, with another currently being built in Bingley.