Staverton's Dowty Propeller factory demolished after blaze

The blaze destroyed most of the propeller factory at Staverton

A propeller factory in Gloucestershire that was devastated by a major fire is being demolished.

Most of the Dowty Propeller site, in Staverton, was severely damaged by the blaze on 4 February - the cause of which is still being investigated.

The firm said the demolition would be "slow and carefully controlled" to support the ongoing investigation and see what equipment can be salvaged.

Around 250 staff worked at the site with 65% of those now redeployed.

Many of the engineers have been moved to a facility in Bishop's Cleeve, managed by parent company GE Aviation.

"We continue to evaluate a number of options for a temporary facility within a 30-mile radius," said a spokeswoman for GE.

"We have to consider many factors when selecting an interim facility including security, environmental conditions, health and safety, footprint, as well as limiting disruption for our employees."

The firm's main production line made propellers for the C130J Super Hercules and the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400.

Dowty makes propellers for the C130J Super Hercules (right) and the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (left)