A cacophonous bang was heard for miles around as an ‘eyesore’ car park was razed to the ground this morning.

The Hobson Street car park in Oldham town centre came crashing to the ground during a thundering demolition just after 7am.

The controlled explosion, triggered by a dummy plunger, took just seconds to reduce the car park to rubble.

Demolition workers from DSR Demolition Ltd counted down from ten and with the command ‘firing now’ explosives were pumped through the structure.

Spectators who had gathered to watch the historic moment let out gasps as an enormous bang marked the end of the derelict five-storey building.

GOING ... The Hobson Street car park ready for demolition

The boom set off car alarms and sent plumes of smoke and debris into the air.

Residents living nearby were told of the demolition in advance but the operation wasn’t widely publicised to prevent masses of spectators.

Many confused residents across the borough took to social media to comment on the earth-quaking explosion.

The car park was closed in 2014 after an inspection found serious structural damage.

Surveys later confirmed the 1960s structure was beyond economic repair.

Oldham council leader Jean Stretton, who triggered the demolition, said demolition was the only option.

GOING ... Oldham Council Leader Jean Stretton and her deputy Abdul Jabbar get ready to start the demolition

She said: “The Hobson Street car park was no longer viable for use and had to be demolished.

“It was generally underused by the public with the main customers being council staff and employees from partner organisations with paid-for permits, who have since been accommodated elsewhere.”

A number of road closures will remain in place throughout the day.

The south side of Hobson Street was closed from 6am on Saturday and will remain shut until 6pm on Wednesday, July 20, as a clear-up operation to remove the rubble continues.

GONE ... The Hobson Street car park after it was demolished by a controlled explosion

Closures on University Way began at 6am on Saturday and will remain in place until today.

Meanwhile Oldham Way, Hobson Street, Emmott Way, University Way, Longley Street, Phoenix Street and Clegg Street were closed at 4am and will open again at 3pm.

The car park was built in 1969 for £241,000 and underwent a number of refits and improvement works before its closure.

It is not yet known what the land will be used for.

The Hobson Street car park after it was demolished by a controlled explosion