The 50m high brick chimney at the former Oxiris factory site on Common Lane came crashing to the ground last Tuesday to pave the way for a developer's plans to create offices, industrial units and housing.

One of the UK's tallest high-reach excavators was brought in by deconstruction specialists EDS to tear down the chimney, which stood close to the canal.

EDS were appointed last month by South Yorkshire-based St Paul's Developments to clear and decontaminate the site. A planning application is due to be submitted for the ambitious plans which bosses say would create a jobs boost for the area.

The developers acquired the 30-acre site in October last year after an announcement that Oxiris Ltd was due to close because of increased competition in Asia.

The plant had provided jobs for more than 70 years, producing products for chemical markets under operators such as Midland Yorkshire Tar, Shell, Croda and Inspec.