A vegetarian fired the detonator to demolish the chimney of a Bradford fat refinery.

Eileen Broomhead, of the Home Start parents' support group in Shipley, pushed the button which toppled the 124-foot chimney - which was the last section of the now demolished Waddington's plant.

After a mighty boom the Victorian structure fell without fuss on to land which will be the car park for a NatWest banking call centre.

Eileen said: "I'm a vegetarian so blowing up something like this was great.

"All I had to do was press the button but I was so nervous it would go wrong."

As passers-by cheered, NatWest staff sighed a breath of relief as 500 tons of bricks missed their new building. The old Waddington's refinery - which had operated for more than 100 years - had been blamed for foul smells which wafted across the city. But the company has always denied it.

The company has now moved to a state-of-the-art plant in nearby Dryden Street with all its staff. The plant contains the latest anti-pollution and odour control features.

The old factory in Filey Street had been cleared to make way for the development of a new £4.6 million business park.

The Regeneration Company is working with Bradford Council and Bovis on the scheme and English Partnerships has contributed £3 million towards the new development.

Before the demolition a cheque for £250 was presented to Home Start by Bovis which oversaw demolition of the plant.

Chairman of the Council's regeneration committee Councillor Dave Green said: "The demolition marks the end of an era for the old refinery.

"Waddington's relocation is a breath of fresh air for the city."

NatWest's Bradford telephone centre staff will be moving to the new Filey Street centre from Bolton Road next month.

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