THE woman who cut the ribbon on flats labelled the "biggest pigeon lofts in Britain" today looked back on their 33-year history and said: "They won't be missed."

Three blocks of flats at Mill Hill, Blackburn, will come down on Sunday February 11, as roads are closed and people living nearby are evacuated for part of the day.

Christine Walton was plucked from among local youngsters as a three-year-old to open the final block.

Now a 36-year-old mother of four children, she lives in the shadow of the tower blocks and remembers the day of the opening.

But she said: "I won't really miss them -- for the last few years they have been a bit rough. I used to have lots of friends who lived there but they moved away.

"It will be different when they go, but I don't think I'll miss them."

The flats have been empty for almost three years and those living in their shadow had long called for the demolition of buildings which they say were a dangerous attraction for local children as well as pushing down property prices in the area -- and attracting pigeons.

Christine has always lived near the flats -- moving into St Aidans Avenue after she was married, and then Bower Close 10 years ago.

Residents in the danger zone near the flats will be offered the opportunity to spend the afternoon of the demolition at Blackburn Rovers luxury Premier Suite at Ewood Park, while the eyesores next to their homes are razed to the ground.

However, there will also be a public viewing site set up at Harrison Recreation ground.

The land is to be used for a new housing estate, and Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses have worked to complete the demolition before the authority's housing stock is transferred to Twin Valley Homes following the ballot of council house tenants last year.