[FONT=Verdana]The demolition of the Millbay grain silo is expected to be completed in May.

Contractors have pulled down the highest tower of the silo with the help of specialist equipment.

They are now working on the rest of the huge building, which dates back to the 1940s, but has been derelict since 1983.
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[FONT=Verdana]The 20-week contract was originally due to end in April, but has been extended after contractors had to bring in different machinery to allow them to reach the highest points of the silo.

ABP said that over the past few years, the building had deteriorated to the extent it was considered a health and safety hazard, despite ongoing remedial work.

The company said it planned to provide a freight storage facility for Brittany Ferries at the 5,000 square meter site.

The silo had acted as a windbreak for Brittany Ferries vessels alongside in [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]Plymouth[/FONT][FONT=Verdana], UK[/FONT][FONT=Verdana].

But Dave Atkin, ABP port manager in Plymouth, said that a bank behind the grain silo would still give some protection to the berth.

He said that he had spoken to senior staff on the Pont Aven, who had said that the loss of the silo would have no impact on the vessel.[/FONT]