THE first phase of demolition work is underway at an historic Radcliffe building.

Slate roofing tiles have been removed from the top of Chapel House, in Smyrna Street.

The 19th Century building is being torn down to make way for new flats.

A planning application submitted to Bury Council in 2016 said the building fabric had become dilapidated and un-economic to repair.

It read: "The decision has been made to carefully demolish, and re-use any building materials which can be salvaged."

All wood, doors and debris will be stripped in the first stage of the demolition.

The building will be dismantled using two excavators fitted with a selector grab and grapple.

Next, a machine will pick and sort materials to be removed from the site.

Bury Council gave construction firm Fusilier Manufacturing permission for the development in December 2016.

The building was previously a Methodist New Connexion School, and later Ainsworth Road Methodist Church.

It has also been used by an engineering firm, and joinery and doorset manufacturer Woodmod Ltd.