Going, going, gone: WATCH Rugeley Power Station coal tower brought crashing down

Flames, debris and clouds of dust erupted as the station's coal tower, conveyor belts and two other buildings came crashing down.

Demolition firm, Brown and Mason, carried out the precise operation.

WATCH: Power station blown up

A spokesman for the firm said: "Brown and Mason delivered yet another impressive but perfectly executed safe explosive demolition project at our Rugeley Power Station project.

"It was clearly a project planned out meticulously by the best explosive demolition team available."

This was the third demolition in a series of operations which will flatten the whole site, which overlooks the town of Rugeley, Staffordshire.

Work began earlier this year to knock down the power station, which closed in 2016.

The demolition comes as ambitious plans have launched to develop the site.

The proposals consist of 2,300 homes, 1.2 ha of mixed-use buildings, five ha of employment land, a primary school, open space and key infrastructure.

A planning application was submitted to Lichfield District Council and Cannock Chase Council earlier this year.

Staffordshire residents were given a glimpse of the masterplan earlier this month during an exhibition, which overall drew positive responses.

Council bosses will discuss the proposals during meetings later this year.

The power station was closed by owners ENGIE three years ago due to deteriorating market conditions and an increase in carbon costs.

The closure, in June 2016, lead to the loss of 120 jobs.

The power station used to have two parts in its heyday - Rugeley A power station, which opened in 1961, and Rugeley B power station, which opened in 1972. However Rugeley A was closed and demolished in the 90s.

Rugeley B provided enough electricity to power around half a million homes.

In February the first demolition of the site took place and the second took place in April.