'Black Box' demolition begins in Rochdale
Work to pull down a landmark building in Rochdale will begin later, paving the way for a £100m town centre revamp.
The former council office block known as the "Black Box" is being demolished, 36 years since it was built.
It follows the demolition earlier this year of the nearby bus station and car park.
The work is being completed ahead of a wider £100m scheme to create a new retail and leisure zone on the eastern side of the town centre.
The Town Centre East retail and leisure development will include a cinema, shops, restaurants and a new entrance to the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre from Baillie Street.
'Ambition for town'
Mark Widdup, director of economy and environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: "Our contractors are working at a rapid pace which certainly matches the ambition we have for our town centre.
"We know that people have waited a long time for a transformed Rochdale and by the end of this year, we will be much closer to putting our plans into action."
The demolition, which will see cranes pull down the building floor by floor, is expected to take about four months.