The three cranes were landmarks on the River Mersey waterfront

The cranes, which had stood for decades on the site of the former Cammel Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, were blown up by contractors at 1100 GMT.

It paves the way for a new leisure development which aims to bring 4,000 new jobs to the region.

Many also regard it as symbolic of the end of large-scale shipbuilding in Merseyside.

Mike Ryder from Reddington Finance Ltd, which now owns the site, said the demolition had to happen to make the former shipyard safe.

He said: "It's a decision that was forced upon us by the insurance company insuring the site because of the condition of the cranes.

"The cranes have not moved for 22 years and have become quite derelict and have, in the eyes of the insurance company, become a liability.

"But it does form part of a bigger picture for the development of the regeneration of the former Cammel Laird shipyard."