AN OLD Trafford tower block was demolished on Sunday as part of a multi-million pound regeneration scheme.

The 14-storey Falcon Court, built in the early 1970s, was demolished as part of the Old Trafford Masterplan - a 10 year project which will see new homes built and improvements in existing properties.

The Masterplan aims to improve and enrich the lives of people in Old Trafford and, in addition to housing, there is a focus on training, education, health and wellbeing and the quality of the environment.

The Masterplan, which is now entering its second phase, is being led by Trafford Housing Trust in partnership with Trafford Council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

Around 100 holes were drilled on each floor to insert a total explosive charge of 24.8 kg. Surrounding roads were sealed off, while cordons were placed around the site.

Falcon Court was the last remaining tower block in a group of four, three of which were demolished using long reach demolition at earlier dates. Only Falcon Court was demolished using explosives. The iconic blocks were part of Old Trafford’s landscape for the last 40 years, and the demolition of the last block marks the end of an era, but also the start of a new one.

The blow down button to trigger the explosion was pressed by Clarence Johnson and 10-year-old Mia Alexandra.

Mr Johnson was one of the first tenants at Falcon Court when his tenancy started on March 2 1970, 44 years to the exact date of Sunday’s demolition.

Mia, a pupil at Seymour Park Primary School, won a competition to design the Old Trafford Masterplan logo, was also invited to press the button.

Edna Robinson, from Trafford Housing Trust, said: “We carried out the demolition on Sunday as part of our multi-million pound plan to regenerate the Old Trafford area.

“The demolition was executed with the highest attention to detail, which ensured for a safe and spectacular sight to all those who were there to see it.

“Trafford Housing Trust is committed to the future of its communities and look forward to redeveloping the site where Falcon Court stood, as well the wider Old Trafford area with better, new and more effective facilities for local people.”