TWO of Bolton’s tallest landmarks came crashing down to earth in almost complete secrecy back in 1982.

The twin 250-foot chimneys at the Back o’th’Bank power station were demolished shortly before 9am on an August morning with just a handful of people watching.

Normally a major demolition would see crowds watching the giants fall but Bolton Council had learned from an experience a year earlier when hundreds of onlookers had gathered to watch the power station’s 300-foot cooling tower being brought down.

When it came to demolishing the chimneys. everything was done in secrecy to avoid crowd issues.

Back o’th’Bank was unusual for a power station due to its location - it was only a mile from the town centre. It was built to meet the increasing demand for electricity from the town’s mills.

Originally coal fired, the power station site was deemed ideal due to its proximity to the railway to bring in the coal and the fact that the River Tonge offered a ready supply of water for condensing the steam.

Built in less than a year, the power station became operational in 1914 and over the years grew in size.

It was finally shut down in 1979 and the process of demolition began.

Once cleared, the site was subsequently redeveloped for housing, retail and industrial use.