FLOWERS were laid at the spot where four men were killed in the Didcot Power Station collapse on the anniversary of their deaths.

The families of Mick Collings, Ken Cresswell, John Shaw and Chris Huxtable gathered to remember their fathers, brothers and husbands yesterday after half of the boiler house at the power station collapsed unexpectedly.

Mark Coleman, managing director of Coleman & Company- the demolition firm on site when the disaster struck said the families were in ‘good spirits’ despite the sombre day.

He said: “While it was a sombre day, the relatives were in good spirits.

“They did not want to be there because of the tragic memories attached to the site but they were glad they came.

“Flowers were laid on a memorial bench, as you stand and look at it you have what is left of the boiler house behind it.

“It is really lovely, they’ve put stones there and small lights around it, so it was the natural place for us all to congregate”

Mr Coleman said he would always be ‘at the end of a phone’ and would continue to support the families for as long as they needed.

He added: “My final words to them today were ‘I know it is very difficult still but I want you to know I am here for you as long as you need us.’”

The four demolition workers had been on site to prepare for the controlled demolition of the boiler house on Didcot A.

Yesterday 25 of their relatives were were joined by representatives from Thames Valley Police, site owners RWE, the Health and Safety Executive and the emergency services as they held a minute’s silence.

The investigation into the cause of the collapse continues on site, although police believe they will soon move their operations off the power station in the coming months.

In October last year RWE announced that Coleman & Company’s contract had been terminated ‘in the best interests of all parties.’

RWE still have yet to confirm the new contractor that will continue the controlled demolition of Didcot A.

Kelly Nye, a spokesperson for the company, said: “The tragedy has had a huge effect on everyone involved at the site and the teams came together quietly to remember the men who lost their lives and all the emergency teams who worked tirelessly following the tragic incident.

“We hope to announce the new contractors in the coming weeks.”

Coleman & Company recently published that it was setting aside around £1.3m to cover potential costs of the tragedy.

Elsewhere in Didcot residents and councillors fell silent at 4pm to mark the exact time the 10-storey building came crashing down a year ago.

Steve Connel, Mayor of Didcot, said it was a small gesture the town could make to remember those that lost their lives.

He added: “Didcot will always remember what happened a year ago.

“I think the strength, unity and compassion shown by the people of this town is something I will always remember.”

The town’s flag flew at half-mast and residents were also able to sign a book of condolences, that had been set up three days after the tragedy and which boasts almost 100 messages.