AN iconic landmark will disappear from the Hartlepool skyline forever this Sunday (29 July).
The 230 ft Steetley chimney - which can be seen for miles around - is being flattened as part of work to clear the former chemical works site.
Local man Dave Fricker is scheduled to press the button to blow up the chimney at 11am after winning a raffle to raise funds for Hartlepool RNLI and Hartlepool & District Hospice.
The delighted 47-year-old Dave who lives in the Oxford Road area said he was "shell shocked" and thought it was a wind up when he got the call from the Mayor to say he had won.
Mr Fricker, who is married to Lesley, said: "It was a total shock when I got the call from the Mayor, I thought it was a wind-up at first. I had actually forgotten I had bought the ticket so I am over the moon to win."
Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond and the Sirius Group, the firm contracted to clear the site by the land's owners Starford Holdings, nominated the charities. In total over £6,000 was raised which will be shared equally between the two charities.
Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond said: "It's been great to work with the Sirius Group and the two local charities and to see such a significant sum raised for two very worthy causes."
Greg Hildreth, events and community facilitator at the hospice, said: "We were delighted to have been chosen as one of the charities.
"We are really pleased with the amount of money raised and it was great to see Hartlepool get behind the initiative."
Beryl Sherry, of Hartlepool RNLI, said: "It is a great amount of money for two good causes."
Phill Collings, Remediation Director for the Sirius Group, said: "It has been a real pleasure to have been part of this and we are all looking forward to the day itself."
Mr Fricker, who had ticket number 06906, also won an iPad.
Second prize, ticket number 04561, is a sea fishing trip for four adults and six children. Third prize, ticket number 08050, is a luxury weekend break for two and fourth prize, ticket number 09897, is a £100 Marks & Spencer voucher.
The chimney can be seen for miles around so people will not necessarily need to be close to the site to see the demolition.
If anyone is wanting to get a bit closer to see it blown up, they are advised to view it from Old Cemetery Road although there will be an exclusion zone in place.
