The hospital which has served Coventry people for almost 40 years is being demolished.

The landmark cross shaped building of Walsgrave Hospital is being razed to the ground to make way for the extra car parking spaces.

The new University Hospital opened in July, and since then Walsgrave has been used by firearms and dog squads from the police for training purposes.

The first blows were struck by city MP Bob Ainsworth on Friday (November 17) in an excavator - the largest piece of equipment used on a demolition site.

It will take until February to completely demolish the building.

Chief executive David Roberts said: "The opening of the new University Hospital and the demolition of Walsgrave marks a new era in healthcare for local people. “During the 40 years Walsgrave Hospital has been open, we have seen many advances in medical technology and it has been the home to some of Europe's top specialists.

"The new University Hospital now provides the first class facilities within which to deliver this care."

Chairman of the health scrutiny board, Coun Joe Clifford and Phil Townshend, chairman of the hospital trust, were also there to see the first blows struck.