It has lain empty for more than 15 years but at long last Helston Business Park is being used for its intended purpose, with the opening of its first store and a second to follow shortly.

What has previously been referred to as "the most expensive dog walking site in the UK" is now a buzz of activity, following the opening of Screwfix this morning.

The store is being managed by Scott Blandford, who lives in Helston already.

He has worked for Screwfix for the last five and a half years, most recently based in the Truro branch, so is looking forward to managing a store in his home town.

He said: "We're delighted to be here and really excited to get launched, bringing Screwfix to Helston, which is long overdue.

"It's great to see life come to the business park, where not much has been happening. It's great for the town and great for the people in the town that more opportunities are being created."

The opening of the store has created 12 jobs, six of which have been filled by existing employees relocating from other stores - the majority of staff already living in the Helston area - and six new positions.

"It's creating jobs for the local people in the area," said Scott. "All our hard work will hopefully benefit the town."

The store will be open 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm Saturday and 9am to 4pm Sunday.

Customers can pre-book online or go into store to place their order, which will be brought to them while they wait.

The store stocks everything from paint and tools through to lights, work wear and home fixtures - and, of course, screws.

Orders from trade-only suppliers Plumbfix and Electricfix can also be delivered into and collected from the Helston branch.

Site owner Matthew Lugg, managing director of MJL Cornwall Ltd, which has carried out the development, said he was pleased that businesses were finally moving on to the park after so long.

He said: "Since acquiring the site over two years ago I’m pleased to finally see the first unit complete and the first tenants moving in.

"It's taken a lot of hard work and significant financial commitment to get the site to this point and I now hope that other businesses will want to move in to the business park.

"After driving past the site for over 15 years it’s great to finally see some activity on the site.

"It’s great for the growth of Helston town and will create fantastic job opportunities."

Alan Treloar of Vickery Holman, which has been managing the letting of the units, said: "It is very pleasing to see Screwfix take this unit and for the estate as a whole to be taking shape after it has lain dormant for several years.

"Demand for new accommodation is strong and we look forward to making other announcements about progress on the site during 2019."

Screwfix will be followed shortly by the opening of a second business on the site.

Forms Plus, currently based on the Water-Ma-Trout industrial estate across town, selling integrated labels and despatch forms to the likes of Gap, Sainsbury’s, Boots, H&M and Joules, as well as local firms, will be expanding and relocating into a new 7,000 square foot unit.

Bradfords Building Supplies is then due to open next January in the site's largest unit, at 11,625 square foot, with a builder's yard. The firm has already added a 'Helston' page to its website, saying "coming soon."

Groundworks are then expected to take place for further phases of development of the site, which is expected to provide a further 16,000 square feet of business accommodation, with 12 units still to be built.