LOOMING on the horizon, the cooling towers of Didcot Power Station are more than just iconic landmarks dominating the skyline.

They are a symbol of the thousands of local people who have worked there in the station’s 42-year history.

Even for those without personal links to the station, the 60-second explosive end to them is sure to be spectacular and a huge crowd-draw.

Therefore, it is a complete mystery that NPower should try to keep details of the exact timing from the public, saying only that it will be ‘at dawn’.

No one will want to miss the demolition and police are to be drafted in to help monitor the expected crowds.

People will turn up anyway, and there is a risk that groups could camp out overnight for fear of missing the crucial moment.

Of course, dawn is a specific time in itself, so keeping the exact timing secret makes very little sense anyway.

We can only hope that NPower shows some appreciation of the local interest in the demolition by being open and honest with the public.

Surely, the more sensible option is to provide people with an exact timetable, so they all know exactly where they should be and when.

That way we can ensure that everyone is as safe as possible as the towers fall to the ground.

Also, it would ensure that residents get a fair chance to bid a final farwell to Didcot’s striking towers and working history.