THE destruction of Erith’s Riverside Baths is continuing even as a contractor is appointed by Bexley Council to demolish the empty building.

Erith councillor Margaret O’Neill, who has welcomed the demolition news, says people in the neighbouring Running Horses pub had watched the latest attempt to destroy the baths.

She said two men had arrived at the building in Erith High Street with rockets in their car boots.

They were then seen using “a crude rocket launcher” to fire industrial fireworks into the building.

The baths were made redundant two years ago when a new pool was opened at Erith Leisure Centre in Avenue Road, but in recent months have been targeted by vandals.

Councillor O’Neill says the building is now “a danger as well as a massive eyesore to those living nearby.”

She said: “Clearly Bexley Council has taken notice of letters and other complaints from across the area and hurried the plan.”

Bexley Council says the site is currently being prepared and demolition work will start in the new year.