WORCESTER'S most hated building is being handed to a mystery buyer - sparking desperate calls to demolish the "eyesore" before it is too late.

Your Worcester News can reveal how Elgar House, which has twice been voted the ugliest site in the city, is about to be bought by a new developer for a seven-figure sum.

The building, which blocks Shrub Hill railway station and has paint crumbling off, was put on the market several weeks ago, with the deal expected to be finalised before the end of May.

But the takeover is shrouded in mystery, leading to fears the seven-storey office block could be retained and simply spruced up.

Leading Worcester figures, including the city's MP and civic society, are making a desperate plea for it to be demolished before the chance is missed.

A proposal to demolish the site back in 2009 and develop a multi-million pound 'station quarter' with shops and flats fell apart after two years of talks between Stephen Taylor Architects and Worcester City Council.

Since then its appearance has steadily worsened to the point of derision, leading to the decision to sell the site.

Worcester MP Robin Walker said: "It's the most hideous building in Worcester, it ruins a good view of a stunning Victorian station and whoever the buyer is, I'd want to see it knocked down.

"I would be happy to work with them, I'd also urge them to talk to London Midland to see what opportunity there might be.

"We need to get rid of that block of concrete."

Councillor Andy Roberts, the city's cabinet member for cleaner and greener, said: "Every time I head down Newtown Road towards the city I see that great big hedgehog of a building.

"It's a monumentally ugly edifice and it would be a huge disappointment if it isn't knocked down."

Phil Douce, Worcester Civic Society chairman, said: "It's an eyesore - I'll pull it down for them.

"It would be a great shame if that didn't happen."

When it was built, ironically, it was given the nod by 1960s city planning chiefs after they were persuaded it would not detract from the view of Shrub Hill.

The new buyer is not Sherriff’s Gate Ltd, which spending more than £100 million revamping 900,000 square foot of land behind the station into a 600-home office, living and leisure complex.

Will Jordan, from Knight Frank, which is handling the sale, said "a number of options" are available to the buyer.

"We can't provide any more details at the moment but expect to finalise it by the end of the month," he said.