BRITAIN: An excavator driver yesterday spent two hours hammering away at the first of Wembley's twin towers as the demolition of the famous old landmarks began.
The German-built digger known as Goliath started the work shortly before 2.15 p.m. and took a hydraulic hammer to the dome of the west tower.
Most of Goliath's work was done behind the dome because the front is out of reach from where the digger is positioned.
Lord Foster, one of the lead architects on the project to replace Wembley with a new state-of-the-art stadium, said: "I look forward to the rise of the new arch that will symbolise Wembley's rebirth."
He was referring to a 133-metre high arch, which will be the most dramatic feature of a new Wembley due to open in early 2006 at the culmination of the £757 million (€1.141 billion) project to redevelop the entire site. The new stadium will seat 90,000 people and have a sliding roof designed to aid pitch conditions. - (PA)