At exactly 2.30am yesterday morning a loud bang ripped through the north of the city and the 19-storey double blocks - 2-4 and 16-18 Fountainwell Court - were razed in 10 seconds.

The £1million operation -which needed 130kg of explosives - was carried out by Glasgow Housing Association as part of their city-wide regeneration programme.

Around 100 people in 70 nearby properties were evacuated for health and safety reasons, with roads closed inside a 150m exclusion zone.

The demolition, which created 44,000 tonnes of rubble, was carried out in the night to avoid disruption to the Glas-gow-Edinburgh railway line, which is just metres away.

Around 500 residents turned out to witness the awesome sight - many of whom had once lived in the flats.

But few tears were shed as the buildings fell, as most of those watching believed the demolition marks the beginning of Sighthill's rebirth.

As she watched, community activist Margaret Thomson, who lived in one of the blocks for 38 years, said: "I'm sad in a way because I brought my family up in that house and I had fantastic neighbours.

"But Sighthill needs and deserves to be regenerated - we've been fighting for it for years."

Neighbour Tina Suffredini, who lived there for 20 years, added: "I've got lots of happy memories. They were once a great place to live.

"But times change and it's definitely time for them to come down."

Constructed in 1967 at a cost of £1.8m, each block contained 228 one and two-bedroom homes. But as demand for the houses declined from 2000, the decision was taken by GHA, in consultation with locals, to demolish them.

The flats have been unoccupied since December 2007, with most residents either being re-housed nearby or elsewhere in north Glasgow.

Neighbouring blocks, 2-4 Fountainwell Terrace, 37-49 Fountainwell Avenue and 6-8 Fountainwell Square - are earmarked to be razed next year.

The clearance makes way for an ambitious programme of further demolition and new build over the next 15-20 years, which will see new homes, improved transport links and a new hub with shopping and community facilities.

Jim Sneddon, GHA's new executive director of regeneration, watched the demolition alongside local residents.

He said: "I have two emotions right now - sorrow that the buildings, which are so full of memories for people, will be gone after just 40 years of use.

"But this moment is so important because it shows we can get things done and move forward.

"There's no reason why what we build in their place shouldn't be some of the best housing and facilities in Glasgow."

Bob Maguire, housing manager of Compass LHO who managed the blocks, added: "The demolition is a very positive step for the area and marks the beginning of a new era - not only for our tenants but for the wider community.

"It's an exciting time for us and we are looking forward to playing our part in the regeneration that is to come."

The 44,000 tonnes of rubble created will now be recycled and used in other building projects.