Demolition work starts at Cornwall Coliseum

Demolition work is starting at a Cornish music venue that hosted dozens of famous acts including The Who and Dame Shirley Bassey

Thousands flocked to the resort every year

The Cornwall Coliseum complex was built at Carlyon Bay in the 1930s and was a focal point for generations of music fans and holiday makers until it fell into disrepair in the 1990s.

After standing derelict for many years approval for a £250m redevelopment project was granted in February 2015..

The main building, which staged some of the biggest names in the world, is being knocked down to make way for a new residential and holiday resort.

Its heyday was in the 1960s when its afternoon tea dances were replaced with performances from bands including The Animals and The Searchers.

The venue attracted bands including The Kinks and Status Quo

The Coliseum's unique seaside location attracted the Radio One Roadshow and singer Alison Moyet used the site to film the video for the hit single "Is this love".

Jacqui Fusco was crowned Miss Carlyon Bay

The complex was not just a music venue but also put on beauty pageants and roller discos.

In the 1980s, hundreds of people would travel to Carlyon Bay for its purpose built nightclub, which over the years had many names including Quasars and Gossips

Over the years the Coliseum was a music venue, nightclub and roller disco

Before the site was condemned and shut down a last gig was performed by the Cornwall Youth Brass Band in 2000.

Protests were held when the Coliseum closed

The band's secretary, Phillip Hunt, remembers placing buckets around the auditorium during the performance to catch the rain leaking through the roof.