Workmen today (January 31) began the demolition of a controversial £200k spa building belonging to Captain Tom Moore's daughter.

The builders in orange high-vis arrived at around quarter to eight on Wednesday, tearing down tiles to expose the luxury complex's blue waterproof membrane.

Metal poles have been assembled by three workers around the C-shaped building which was set to house a spa pool, toilets and kitchen.

A van belonging to demolition contractors C. Jackson and Sons of Bedford was also parked outside the family home in Marston Moretaine, Beds.

The family were ordered to knock down their spa complex because the building did not have planning permission from Central Bedfordshire Council.

While permission had been granted in for an L-shaped building, revised plans for the partially constructed property were submitted by Hannah Ingram-Moore in February 2022.

The amended plans for the "Captain Tom Building" included a new C-shape, spa pool, toilets and a kitchen for "private use".

Retrospective planning permission was refused the same year and despite appeals from Mrs Ingram-Moore, it was ruled 'at odds' with her Grade II listed home.

Captain Tom's daughter and her husband failed to seek a judicial review of the decision and the building was ordered to be removed by February 7.

Sir Thomas Moore, popularly known as Captain Tom, was a British Army officer and fundraiser who hit the headlines during the first Covid-19 lockdown.

He raised an staggering £39m for the NHS in the run-up to his 100th birthday by walking laps of his garden in April 2020.

He died from coronavirus aged 100 in February 2021.