A chimney which sat on top of Cromer Hospital has been demolished as work revamping the building continues.

The chimney, which was 18.65m high and situated next to the old boiler house, was taken down early on Wednesday morning and took just an hour to demolish by a 'nibbler' which is a crane-like machine.

The work was carried out by Mansell Construction.

A spokesman for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital said: 'This involves the removal of the old renal unit and the demolition of the chimney and the boiler house and paves the way for ground works to start on the new hospital building itself.'

The completed hospital should open in autumn 2012, and will include art works currently on display including those donated by millionairess Sagle Bernstein, whose �11m legacy has paid for the bulk of the scheme.

The number of kidney dialysis stations based in north Norfolk is set to almost double, and they will be based in the �15m rebuild.