Sections of the damaged Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building are to be demolished as a result of recent condition assessments.

The remote and close-in surveys revealed that parts of the building were in danger of sudden collapse.

It will take around two days to devise a methodology for taking down the south façade, the most seriously affected part of the building. The West gable of the Mackintosh building has continued to deteriorate and the East gable has continued to move outwards.

The demolition contractor has been asked to consider beginning at the Eastern side of the site.

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There is still a risk of falling bricks or stone moving quickly downhill and into the buildings on Sauchiehall Street

Glasgow City Council's Head of Building Control Raymond Barlow said: "This building has undergone substantial stress in recent days. With each passing day a sudden collapse becomes more likely. It has become urgent that we take down the south façade. As the process begins it will be likely that the other walls will also need to be reduced.

"We do not know what effect this will have on the rest of the building so I have to be clear this site remains dangerous and is becoming more dangerous. It is particularly important that people observe the cordon which remains in place."

A major blaze started in the building at around 11.15pm on Friday, 15 June, spreading to nearby buildings and causing extensive damage. The building had been undergoing restoration works following a fire in 2014.

(CM/LM)