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An important part of Paisley’s textile heritage has been reduced to rubble.

The Blackhall Mill tower has been torn down after more than 170 years rising above the town.

Bulldozers moved in to flatten the C-listed structure to make way for flats.

Campaigner Eric McCay had called for the building to be saved, but permission was granted to tear down the block.

He said: “It was a working building up until around 10 years ago.

“The recession hit and they couldn’t rent it out.

“The land was worth more without the building.”

(Image: Paisley photographs)

Vinemeadow Ltd is building homes at the site of the former mill on Blackhall Lane.

Dozens of objections were lodged with Renfrewshire Council in a bid to save the site.

Planners rejected an application to erect properties there.

But the housebuilder challenged the decision and it was overturned by the Scottish Government.

Eric — who runs The Only Way is Paisley Facebook page — previously told how the landmark should be saved to help preserve the town’s weaving history.

He said: “It’s an important part of our past and helps tell the story of our town’s rise to being a worldwide textile manufacturer.

“You just need to look at the Anchor Mill to see what a bit of creativity can do to safeguard our historic buildings and bring them into the modern age.”

Built in 1848 for D Speirs and Son, Blackhall Mill’s raw silk was made into threads.

As the availability of the coveted material dwindled, local weavers concentrated on cotton.

It was a decision that would put Paisley on the international stage for a hundred years.

As the 20th century dawned, the site was converted into a paper mill, before becoming offices near the end of its life.

It had lain derelict for several years and has been targeted by vandals and metal thieves, leaving it in poor condition.