A well-known Lanarkshire tower block has been demolished - in a spectacular controlled explosion.

The 17-storey Glencairn Tower block in Motherwell was raized as thousands of people watched the event at the weekend.

About 100kg of explosives were used to bring the building to the ground yesterday with a clear-up operation in the surrounding area now under way.

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The controlled explosion was undertaken by Technical Demolition Services (TDS) with support from Precision Demolition Company who jointly imposed an exclusion zone around the site.

It has now been lifted, with residents allowed to return to their homes and businesses.

The tower block was built in the 1960s and was removed to make way for new low-rise affordable housing.

Craig Wilson from Technical Demolition Services said a total of 64 charges were set-off during the demolition operation.

He told the BBC: "Undertaking a blow-down is a huge task and its success is all in the planning and co-operation of the contractor and the client."

(BMcC)