COCKENZIE Power Station’s iconic chimneys will be brought down on Saturday, September 26.

Plans for the demolition are still being drawn up, with times and road closures to be confirmed.

However, the Courier can reveal ScottishPower has agreed the weekend detonation with East Lothian Council and Police Scotland.

Tickets for the chance to press the button when the landmark towers are brought down are being sold in their hundreds across East Lothian and beyond.

The winner will be drawn at the end of August.

The demolition will be overseen by ScottishPower’s main contractor, Brown and Mason.

An exclusion zone will be required for the demolition, with full details due to be published in the near future.

The safety restrictions will mean that viewing areas in the immediate vicinity of the power station, such as the Greenhills, will be limited. As the chimney stacks are clearly visible from many locations, Police Scotland, ScottishPower and East Lothian Council have recommended that people who would like to watch the demolition take the time to plan their position in advance.

The twin chimney stacks are both 149 metres tall, and were constructed in time for the coal station opening in 1967.

George Camps, ScottishPower Project Manager, said: “A lot of detailed planning is required to carry out a major demolition on this scale.

“This involves close co-operation with both East Lothian Council and Police Scotland, in order to ensure that we can carry out the work safely.

“We will keep the local community groups and businesses fully informed as we are able to release further details of the event. “ East Lothian police inspector Andrew Harborow said: “We know that these chimneys have been an iconic site for residents and visitors to Cockenzie over the years and there will be no shortage of interest in watching the demolition.

“I would like to take this opportunity to advise those planning on coming along on the day that spaces in the local area will be limited and we will have a policing presence in place to ensure disruption to the community is kept to a minimum.

“Please consider your journey, where you intend to park and how you expect to view the demolition in advance.” In recent months, ScottishPower has been working with local community groups as part of a new steering group to look at ways of maximising charity fundraising to coincide with the demolition.

Raffle tickets for the chance to press the button are being sold through Longniddry & District Rotary Club, with the proceeds being split evenly between Prestonpans Community Council, Cockenzie & Port Seton Community Council, Longniddry & District Rotary Club, and ScottishPower’s partner charity, Cancer Research UK.

East Lothian Council leader Willie Innes, said: “The demolition of the Cockenzie chimneys carries mixed emotions for many local residents who have lived and worked in their shadows and consider the structures as a landmark within their community.

“However, the demolition will also signify a new start for the area and the council is encouraged by interest shown in new economic opportunities for the site.”