IT'S not often you see Fareham's council leader sitting behind the wheel of a huge digger.

But Councillor Sean Woodward did just that to mark the start of building work on the town's £30m Market Quay retail and leisure development.

Preliminary work to clear the land at the West Street car park site began in February and an archaeological search was also carried out.

Apart from a few old bones, to be donated to Westbury Manor Museum, nothing was found.

Now the actual building work can begin on the complex, due to open in June next year if everything goes to plan.

However, contractors have already experienced one lengthy hitch after taking ten extra days to divert a main gas pipe from the site.

Cllr Woodward said: "The sod-cutting ceremony signifies that the construction period is under way and that the scheme will be delivered to the people of Fareham during the course of 2004."