The demolition has begun of the house where Tia Sharp was murdered – with builders saying they felt sick as they destroyed the loft where her body was found.

12-year-old Tia, from Pollards Hill was killed by her grandmother’s partner at his home at 20 the Lindens last year.

Stuart Hazell was last month jailed for life with a minimum of 38 years for her  murder.

Croydon Council said demolition work began on numbers 19, 20 and 21 the Lindens in May, following Hazell’s trial.

The houses are being demolished from the roof downwards.

One neighbour today said construction workers had told them they had felt sick working on the building.

Elizabeth Lee, 79, said: "They started working on it on Monday. They've knocked the roofs and the lofts. Some of the workmen told me they were made sick by the loft, because they knew what had happened there.”

A resident, who asked not be named, said: "Councillors held a meeting with all the residents about it. Most people are pleased it is happening. I think you'd have to be quite desperate to want to live in the house that's there now. I certainly wouldn't."

The property, which is owned by Croydon Council, was demolished to avoid it becoming a sick tourist attraction.

Fieldway councillor Simon Hall said: "I don't feel it's right to expect anyone to live in the house or to have it potentially as a place which attracts undue attention over the months or years to come."

"It could really affect people in the area if it was a constant source of attention and would stop them from getting on with their lives."

A council spokesman said following consultation with residents it was decided the best course of action was to take the properties down.

He added they are now in the process of building new family homes in their place, which is expected to be completed by August 2014.

Hazell  sexually assaulted then  murdered Tia, a Raynes Park High School pupil. when she came to stay with him and her grandmother on August 3, last year.

Hazell, changed his plea to guilty five days into the murder trial in May.

He had previously claimed Tia had fallen down the stairs and broken her neck and he had hid her body in the loft because he panicked.