A day of destruction unfolded in front of camera-wielding residents this week as they watched flats crumble to make way for long-awaited redevelopment.

Tiles and windows shattered, roofs collapsed and bricks flew in all directions - each swing of an industrial digger greeted by cheers.

Making sure no one missed the demolition of the former Ministry of Defence homes in Girtin Road, Bushey, cameras were positioned across the site and children as young as two weeks old were given an opportunity to observe from a safe distance.

One resident, Mark Diggins, recorded everything from the ground as another, John Raineri, set up a time-lapse camera to take photographs from his window every three seconds.

Although acknowledging some “happy times” with his family in the flat, Mark said: “When it’s my block it will be one long feature film. I’ll set up the camera and just watch it all come down.

The assistant off licence manager added: “The best thing is when the roof goes down with a huge crash.”

The demolition of the 1950s buildings launched the first stage of a project that will bring 190 new homes to the area, replacing buildings marred by years of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Father-of-five, John, who teaches multimedia in Hendon and has lived in Girtin Road for eight years said: “It’s definitely run-down and time to demolish it. Roofs are leaking, the buildings are falling apart. I’m taking pictures every day from my vantage point so I can put the clips on YouTube.”

The planning application, by Genesis Housing Group, was approved by Hertsmere Borough Council in January after around 50 meetings with councillors, residents and officers.

Stephanie Kerbyson, Customer Liaison Manager for contractor Crestel Partnerships, said: “It’s been years and years of meetings and grovelling, it’s taken so long but we’re finally here.”

Taking a break from watching the demolition, staff from Crestel and Genesis gathered in the estate’s community hall, surrounded by damp walls and out-of-date posters to discuss the order people would be re-housed during the building work.

Stephanie said: “I’ve been coming down every day to look at it getting torn down. I never thought I would see this happen.”