THE final day of term went with a bang for two pupils - who won the chance to destroy their school.

Students Molly Bainbridge, 12, of Norton, and James Binns, 13, of Wynyard, took charge of the demolition of St Michael's Catholic Academy, in Billingham, after winning a competition for the chance to raze the former school building to the ground.

The out-dated three-storey building that stood on Beamish Road, Billingham, for the past 50 years, has recently been replaced by a new state of the art academy in front of the original school.

After a final walk through the old classrooms Molly and James commanded a giant high reach grabbing machine, via a two –way radio, to smash into the side of the three storey building.

Cheered on by hundreds of St Michael’s students and staff from the safety of their new school, they then gave the order to begin the demolition of the building.

“It was great to be in control of the demolition,” said James.

“It’s not something you get to do everyday and its something I will remember for ever.”

Both Molly and James were presented with their high visibility vests and hard hats as a memento by construction firm Kier and will also receive a brick each from the demolished building with their names engraved on it.

“I feel really privileged to have been the one of the last two students to have been in the old building,” said Molly.

“It was very exciting ordering the grabbing machine to start the demolition and I feel really proud to be part of St Michael’s Academy history.”