Whether you love it or hate it, Shoreham Power Station is an unmistakable landmark. Reporter BEN JAMES looks back at the history of the eye-catching structure.

WITH huge development in the south east at the beginning of the 20th century, plans were drawn up for a new power station.

After numerous public meetings and committees, a proposal for a station at Shoreham was decided on.

Work started in 1904 with the site chosen because of its position on the harbour.

Ships could easily drop plentiful supplies of coal off at the door while there was access to water for cooling.

It was 1906 before the station first started generating power with a capacity of 5,470 kilowatts.

Homes and businesses along the south coast relied on the structure for power and there were various modifications and extensions over the following decades.

When the station finally closed on March 15, 1976 it had a generating capacity of 53 megawatts.

Despite the increase in power, the authorities realised a larger station was required to cope with demand.

Planning began as early as the 1940s and Brighton B Power Station was constructed just a stone’s throw from where the present station now sits.

During the construction of the station the electrical supply industry was nationalised and the British Electricity Authority took over responsibility.

On completion, such was the size and grandeur of the structure, it became something or a tourist attraction. Many compared it to the iconic Battersea Power Station in London and there were regular schools visits.

However, unlike its London counterpart the station was demolished after it became uneconomical in the late 1970s.

It was said that coal deliveries to the port cost too much to make the station commercially viable.

Demolition work began and the eastern chimney was set for destruction on July 16, 1988 .

Locals lined the pavements with cameras at the ready to watch the beloved structure felled.

Explosives were packed into the base and in just a matter of seconds the 350ft tower was reduced to a pile of rubble.

The western tower was left standing for a while – only to be demolished later in the year.

There had been a lot of anger over the demolition of the much loved landmark.

Pilots and sailors also registered their displeasure, stating that they often used the towers as a navigational aid.

But the area had to be cleared as plans for a new gas-fired station were starting to take place.

After years of planning and development, the station, which remains to this day, finally opened in 2002 at a cost of £150 million.

While it does not have the same industrial beauty of its predecessor, the station remains a local landmark.