Power station chimneys demolished

Two chimneys are to be demolished at a former south Derbyshire power station.

Residents living in the villages surrounding Drakelow and parts of Burton-upon-Trent are being warned the explosion could interrupt their sleep.

For safety reasons, it has been decided the controlled explosion will be staged at 0500 GMT on Thursday morning.

Officials at the site decided on the early start because there would be fewer motorists on the nearby A38 at that time.

Ian Hughes, site manager, said: "The exclusion zone is quite extensive with the boundary of the river on one side, the substation on the other and Walton Lane on the other.

"Unfortunately there won't be any public viewing areas basically because there won't be anything to see at that time of day.

"It will be pitch black which is a bit disappointing for the public, but safety is paramount."

The decision for an early morning explosion was taken after consultation with the Highways Agency and with other local agencies.

Standing 168m (551ft) high and weighing 7,000 tonnes each, the two chimneys will come down in a matter of seconds in a controlled explosion carried out by a specialist contractor.

The site closed in March 2003.