THE demolition of Fiddler's Ferry could take four years to complete.

A detailed report has been sent to Warrington Borough Council ahead of the site being cleared.

It closed almost 12 months ago after being in operation for almost half a century.

Demolition will see explosives used to pull down the famous cooling towers while experts will be needed to remove the parts of the land built with asbestos.

Decommissioning of the plant should be complete by the end of this March but there is no firm date for when demolition, which is scheduled to take between 40 and 50 months to compete, will start.

But the report says it will be after June this year.

Ecological studies will need to be prepared first to analyse the impact on breeding birds, water voles and other protected species in the area.

As well as explosives being used to demolish the towers, there will be manual removal of asbestos and dismantling of buildings.

Demolition of the cooling towers is likely to take place on a Sunday to avoid disruption.

The report states: "Explosives will be required to demolish the cooling towers. Detonation of explosives results in airborne noise and ground-borne vibration of very short duration."

And it concludes: "There is the potential for localised changes in noise levels from demolition activities.

"Given that the demolition works are likely to require specialist techniques to remove key infrastructure and given the proximity to a number of residential receptors, it is proposed by the applicant that a proactive approach to noise control and monitoring during the demolition works be undertaken.

"SSE will liaise with WBC and the (yet to be appointed) demolition contractor to discuss and agree the scope of and extent of noise monitoring to be undertaken as well as communication channels to be used with the public on higher risk activities."