FOR 59 years it was a school educating the communities of Bank End, Kendray and Worsbrough. But the demolition of the former Worsbrough High - later Elmhirst - started last week.

By the end of July it will be nothing left but rubble, with the latest generation getting its education at the new Barnsley Academy, off Farm Road.

Academy prinicpal Dave Berry was shown around the empty shell on Tuesday. He said: "The school opened in 1950 and closed in February. It is quite sad because it is part of the area's history."

Workers have already been through the buildings stripping them of anything that can be reclaimed and recycled.

Specialists have cleared the school of asbestos. Metal, plastic, glass and wood has all been salvaged and will be reused in various ways.

The old school chairs and computers have been sent to Africa and even the brick and stone work will be crushed and reused as hardcore.

Site supervisor David Hall, of Windmill Demolition, said: "We've been here four or five weeks stripping it and had the asbestos team in nearly three weeks.

"Hopefully it will take six or seven weeks to flatten. It doesn't take long and then it is processed through a crusher.

"Then we'll start top-soiling it and getting some levels on it."

At that stage the land will be passed to Barnsley Council which will maintain the new sport pitches.