First stage of Rugeley Power Station demolition to take place next week

And residents were told to expect sounds similar to a 'small rumble of thunder' when metal ducting is deconstructed on Thursday.

The news comes after plans were announced for a mixed-use development that has the potential to include more than 2,000 homes - transforming the site into an entirely new sustainable and smart community.

A community meeting was held in the town yesterday and residents were updated on the demolition plans for the B station- and told that the iconic cooling towers are set to be demolished towards the end of next year.

Chris Riches, site owner Engie's demolition project manager, said more than 100 people came to see the exhibition at the Rugeley Rose.

He said: "This is our first planned demolition update and we're hoping to do others over the course of the project.

"We felt it was important with demolition underway and the first blow down shortly that we had an opportunity to update the community. It's been very positive.

"Next week it is going to be a small rumble of thunder and it will be over quickly with minimal impact."

Mr Riches said Engie is aiming to submit a planning application for the site in May, and community events will be held in March and April as part of it.

Residents Peter and Janice Johnson have lived in a house backing onto the site in Vicars Croft for more than 30 years.

Janice, a grandmother-of-one, said she wants to watch the demolition.

She said: "From our garden we can look across and can see it all, it's a landmark, it's part of Rugeley.

"It's the sort of view that when you're in the area you can pin point where Rugeley is by finding the towers.

"I hope that all the things that they've said are going to happen, it would regenerate Rugeley, it needs regenerating.

"We want to be able to see the explosive demolition happen, but it would be lovely if they could do something to remember it.

"It would be lovely if they could keep one of the towers and utilise it in some way so it's still a landmark.

"It's part of Rugeley's heritage."

Nearby Lichfield resident Sonia Deakin travelled to the exhibition as she said the towers have 'been part of her life'.

The 37-year-old customer service adviser said: "The towers have been part of our lives, we've not known anything else.

"I think it's great that they're using the same land rather than building on fields but it will be sad to see the towers go. It will improve the landscape though."

Power station A was closed and demolished in the 90s.