ONE of Blackburn's oldest landmarks was reduced to rubble as nearly 150 years of history was destroyed in fewer than 15 minutes.

The 100ft Cardwell Mill chimney in Mill Hill was demolished as part of a site clearance to make way for new office buildings.

The 200-tonne brick chimney came crashing to the ground yesterday afternoon changing the surrounding skyline forever.

Demolition manager John Warburton, of Warburton Steeplejacks, based in Preston Old Road, Blackburn, said the operation had taken some careful planning over the past two days.

He said that rather than by using explosives the chimney was brought down by removing some of the bricks and replacing them with wood, which was then burned.

As the wood crumbled in the flames the chimney collapsed.

Mr Warburton added: "We don't use explosives for a job like this because the firing method is easier and safer.

"The bricks are taken out at the structural weak points of the chimney and the wooden props are then inserted. When these are fired and the wood disintegrates the chimney collapses under its own weight. The whole thing takes a matter of minutes from beginning to end."

The mill was built in 1858-9 as a textiles factory and by 1885 housed 31,000 spindles and 516 looms, and employed 350 people. Weaving ceased in the 1950s and the buildings were later used as a cloth and yarn warehouse. The mill closed in 1983.

Mr Warburton said the site had been bought by Blackburn company MDA Ltd, which also owns the nearby Waterfall Mill in Queen Victoria Street. He said they were going to use the site to build new office units.