One man who was particularly sorry to see the Isle of Grain chimney crash to the ground was driving instructor Lee Knowles, 51, from Rettendon Drive, Sittingbourne.

He pitched up at Queenborough on Wednesday to see the giant stack blown up.

Lee, who runs Leeway Driving School, recalled: “I worked as a contractor at Grain in 2001 when the power station was run by Powergen.

VIDEO: Lee's view of the Grain Chimney falling

"Two of us were hired to service the aircraft navigation lights at the top of the 800-feet tower.

“It took us 40 minutes to climb all the steps to the top. We even had to take our own water and food with us because it would take too long to go back down for a break.

“It was an amazing view from the top. As I stood next to the guard rail I could look across the Medway to see the Isle of Sheppey completely surrounded by water.

"It was breathtaking and quite something to see.

“The generating plant was unique. It had five units which meant there were five chimneys and a sixth vent as a breather going up the centre of the tower.

“A pair of Peregrine falcons were also nesting at the top. I hope they have been given a new place to stay.”

Lee joined the team at neighbouring Kingsnorth power station full-time in 2003 but was made redundant by Powergen in 2013. He then joined Southern Water as a technician.

His brother Russell was an apprentice instrument technician at Grain and was part of the team which created records as the plant came on line.

He now works at Kingsnorth on the gas-fired station.

Lee added: “It was a sad day to see the chimney crash to the ground. It was incredible the amount of British engineering which went into our old power stations.

"It was outrageously fantastic. You had to see it to believe it. Sadly, the UK is slowly loosing this forever.”