Bulldozers move in on city's landmark clocktower

The Littlewoods building has been vacant since 1994

Work has begun to demolish a landmark clocktower in Liverpool.

The distinctive feature is part of the city's Littlewoods building, which is set to be at the heart of a new film and TV studio hub.

Developers Capital and Centric said the tower had to come down after a survey revealed it was unsafe.

Spokesman John Moffat confirmed the tower would "definitely" be rebuilt, however.

John Moffat said it would be a "sad day" but the clocktower would be rebuilt

"We explored every possible option, but the building is moving in the wind and we have to bring it down as there isn't any other way of doing it," he said.

"It's a really sad day but its also an exciting day.

"Only when the clocktower comes down will we be able to get workers into the west wing of the building to make it ready to re-use as a film and TV hub - and then the tower can go back up."

Mr Moffat said it would take about a week to bring the tower down, to avoid damaging the rest of the building structure, and it is expected to be rebuilt within two years.

"It is an incredible piece of Liverpool history on the skyline and it has to go back up," he added.

The Littlewoods building was first developed as the headquarters for the Littlewoods football pools, which operated there until 1994.

The regeneration plans were announced following a major fire at the sight in 2018.

Film production sound stages, studios, office space and a training facility have also been planned for the site by 2026.

Mr Moffat said the complete rebuilt would "facilitate everything you need to produce a film on site".