THESE images show the ongoing transformation of Worcester's Cathedral roundabout - with the old cellars now completely filled in.

The iconic island, which is shrinking in size to make way for a radical overhaul of the area due to be known as Cathedral Plaza, is virtually unrecognisable from how it appeared just days ago.

Exposed cellars belonging to the old Lich Street, which first sunk from view when the island was constructed in the 1960s, sparked an explosion of interest among the public after they re-appeared in April.

This week highways workers on behalf of Worcestershire County Council removed a series of diggers and have been seen flattening the landscape out before they move on to the next stage, which includes road closures.

The £1.9 million project, set for completion in 2016, will see a big European-style piazza created, with the current roundabout site effectively becoming a turning point.

The covering up of the old cellars still divides opinion after council chiefs insisted it was not possible to create glass flooring for a viewing chamber.

Councillor Simon Cronin, who sits on Worcester City Council, said: "I've been horrified to see them digging the hell out of that site, to be honest.

"What concerns me is that I want to see the old cellars under that site preserved."

The county council says efforts to "fill in the archaeological works" started last week, and from Monday attention will turn to the road layout for the first time.

It means the roundabout will be closed on Sunday from 6pm-11pm to allow barriers to be installed around the construction area.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the county council's deputy leader, says the new look will be worth waiting for.

"The creation of this brand new public square will be an exciting addition for the city," he said.

"It has been designed to be flexible in its use with a public square that will include informal seating and a creative space that will be available to be used for a number of public events throughout the year."

The project is being done alongside investors Salmon Harvester, which is revamping Cathedral Plaza shopping centre.

As we first revealed on Friday between Tuesday, August 11 to Friday, August 14 the road will be closed from College Street to Deansway between 7pm-6am.

* A public exhibition of some of the items found during a recent 10-week archaeological dig at Cathedral island is running at Worcester's Guildhall until this Friday, July 31.