The external demolition of the former borough council offices on Weymouth's North Quay is now underway - with more details revealed on how it will be taken down.

The land has been earmarked for a share of £19.5 million the council received as part of the governments Levelling Up Fund to help redevelop areas of Weymouth.

Following an archaeological dig, that discovered a former pub along with medieval pottery and a cannonball from the Civil War, work was started on internally stripping the building.

This work has now finished, so the process begins to take the building down.

Anyone expecting a wrecking ball or an explosive demolition will be disappointed as the building will be methodically taken down, with the material then redistributed.

Demolition will continue until mid-late January and the land will then be used as a temporary car park from the spring. It is anticipated the site will be redeveloped in the future.

Dorset Echo: Scaffolding has also been seen going up on the North Quay siteScaffolding has also been seen going up on the North Quay site (Image: Andy Jones)

READ: North Quay open day sees people learn about Weymouth's past

Dorset Council said: “There won't be much to see from the ground, it'll be demolished floor by floor, and pushed inwards by mechanical grabbers, starting in the back corner of the building, closest to the Town Bridge.

“The material removed will be crushed on site before being used as hardcore on site or recycled and used by our Highways teams for local road repairs.

“Work will pause for Christmas and will resume in the first week of January. The whole process is expected to take between 5 – 6 weeks. We’ll make every effort to keep disruption to a minimum; thank you for your patience.”

Contractors Heidelberg Materials UK, which have been employed to demolish the building, have also provided the Echo with more information.

READ: North Quay Weymouth demolition remains on schedule

A spokesperson for the contractors said: “It is very straight forward - pre-Christmas we will take down the lower buildings at the back. 

“Then we will take the main building down from east to west using a 50ft high reach excavator.  Leaving the front façade up as a screen, which will then be taken down sequentially.

“We will then put the building materials through a crusher which will be used to make the sub-base for the temporary car park. 

“The rest will be sent off site to be re-used on other council projects and roads.

“Mechanical machinery is already on site.”