Work starts on demolition of Redcar steelworks blast furnace

The structure, which has dominated Teesside's skyline for decades, is expected to be completely demolished by the end of the year.

Read more: Pictures as work begins to demolish iconic steelworks blast furnace

The steelworks were mothballed in 2010 before being restarted by SSI when the Thai firm took over ownership from Tata Steel in 2012, but it entered liquidation three years later with the loss of more than 2,000 jobs.

Work to take down the furnace, which is 365ft tall - the same height as St Paul's Cathedral, is being carried out by North East firm Thompsons of Prudhoe.

The blast furnace was the second largest in Europe when it became operational in 1979, but the site, now part of Teesworks, is being cleared as part of regeneration plans by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and the South Tees Development Corporation to bring 20,000 new jobs - many in green industries - to the site over the next 25 years.

Take a look below at the latest pictures from demolition work on the site

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)

Read next:

• Pervert who targeted children on social media has prison sentence increased
• Drug dealer caught out by his suspicious and nervous behaviour

• Convicted sex offender back in front of judge for stash of rewritable DVDs

If you want to read more stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here