Demolition has begun on a former hospital in Preston.

The Ribbleton Hospital site off Miller Road is being knocked down by the Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Standing empty since 2015 the building has become a hot-spot for vandalism and arson attempts in Ribbleton.

Construction crews began to demolish the outside of the buildings during Monday (27 November) although work started in mid-October to prepare for the buildings coming down.

The hospital was built between 1974 and 1981.

Read more: Volunteer run garden in Ribbleton trashed by vandals

It closed when mental health services moved to a new purpose-built facility in Blackpool called The Harbour.

A spokesman for the Trust said: “The Trust vacated the site in March 2015 when services transferred to modern accommodation, which meant the site was surplus to requirements and available for disposal. This is in line with our estates strategy and the Naylor report which requires all NHS Trusts to make efficient use of its estate. Bradley Demolition started working on the site in mid-October.

“They have removed asbestos, soft stripped the build and now well into the demolition of the site which should be cleared early to mid-December.”

Read more: Council to fund repairs to West View Leisure Centre

Do you have any memories of the hospital? Did you work there? Let us know in the comments below