A long-running but ageing shopping centre has been torn down, just months after it shut for good.

Pictures reveal how De Bradelei Wharf no longer stands in Dover after diggers moved in to demolish the building.

Piles of rubbish are all that remain at the site in Cambridge Road, which had hosted the outlet centre for more than 20 years.

Work to remove the roof started in October, when tarpaulin was erected around the entire building, which is close to the seafront and Wellington Docks.

Landowners the Port of Dover were granted planning permission for the demolition by Dover District Council in August.

The structure will be replaced by a car park in the interim until a decision is made on the sites’ permanent future use.

The building, which dates back to the 19th century, had asbestos, which was removed by specialists.

Asbestos lining had been used in buildings since Victorian times as it was fire resistant.

But in following decades it became increasingly clear fibres from broken asbestos, when inhaled, could cause diseases such as lung cancer. It was finally completely banned in the UK in 1999.

De Bradelei Wharf shopping centre was established in 2002 when the port authority converted part of the area’s former ship building sheds.

But it finally closed on July 14 this year and 25 members of staff were made redundant.

Site manager, Sally-Ann Vokes, described it as the "end of an era” and a “very sad day”.

The business’ owners JB Armstrong – which leased the building from Port of Dover – said the decision had to be made because of rising costs and expense of repairs for the tired building.

One department, ladies clothing, moved to a new premises in Biggin Street under the name Coastal.

The cafe also relocated to Ashford.