BULLDOZERS have flattened the iconic administration and gatehouse buildings at the old Royal Ordnance munitions site.

The demolition work in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, is part of an ongoing multi- million pound transformation.

It has triggered dramatic changes to the village landscape as new life is breathed into 1800 acres, where once 10,000 workers manufactured explosives for missiles and shells.

Site visitors had to pass through the buildings which stood near the village railway station and were easily seen by locals.

But they have been razed to the ground as part of land remediation work as workmen clear the area and make it safe for housing, shops, community and recreational facilities as well as the creation of a large woodland park.

The site has been dubbed one of the most contaminated in Britain and remediation work was launched four years ago to ensure the Renfrewshire community inherits a safe legacy.

Hundreds of new homes have already been built after 600 were constructed last year as part of major plans to build a total of 2500 dwellings.

More than 5000 villagers live in Bishopton and it's estimated the population will double when the makeover comes to an end around 2025.

Current remediation work includes regenerating 250 acres of land and recycling 2500 tonnes of steel recovered from demolition work as well as managing 160,000 tonnes of recycled concrete, 80,000 tonnes of recycled brick and 1.3 million tonnes of soil movements within the site.

Project director Lynda Johnstone said: "The completion of the demolition work on the site's former administration block and gatehouse was a significant landmark for everyone involved in the project."

The factory opened shortly before the Second World War after thousands of acres of farmland were bought.

Production of deadly explosives for missiles and shells began in three boiler houses.

Rapid expansion resulted in the factory employing 10,000 workers at its peak before it closed in 2002.