Work has finally begun on the long-awaited £500m development dubbed the "East Croydon gateway".

Construction firm Midgard started on the first phase of the landmark Ruskin Square project, which could ultimately bring flats, offices, shops and restaurants onto wasteland that has laid largely empty for 15 years, in the last few days.

The 22-storey and nine-storey tower, encompassing 161 homes, are scheduled for completion in summer 2016.

Developers Stanhope and Schroder secured preliminary planning permission for the second phase of the development, a ten-storey office block, last month. 

The completed development will include five buildings with up to 625 homes, 22,000sq m of offices, retail units and a car park.