PHOTOGRAPHY students captured a piece of history when they visited a National Grid gasholder ahead of it being pulled down.

The Blackburn College students were given a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Blackburn's Wensley Road gasholder, which has dominated the landscape for years.

The pictures captured of the 44metre high structure will be used to help record the history of the site.

Shaun McAllister, course leader in Photography at Blackburn College, said: “It’s always good to get the students out and about to photograph different subjects, and it’s great to have the chance to get up close to the gasholder before it’s taken down.

“Having grown up in the area, I know that the gasholder is a real landmark for Blackburn, so we’re pleased to help to preserve memories of it for years to come.”

A gasholder is a very large metal container or structure, used for storing gas before it is carried through pipes to buildings.

National Grid started work in January to remove the disused gasholder as part of a programme to clear and prepare sites around the country for redevelopment, bringing them back into beneficial use.

Chris Taylor, from National Grid, said: “We always look for opportunities to get involved with the local community around our sites, and Blackburn College is just down the road from the gasholder.”

During its prime the towering structure supplied gas to Blackburn’s homes and industry before it was disconnected from the network in 2009.

Gasholders are no longer needed due to improvements in technology enabling gas to be stored in the national pipeline network.

National Grid has no current plans for the future use of the site where the gasholder currently sits.