Sadness and pride: Strong emotions after Ironbridge Power Station is shut down

The moment was met with cheers, but there were tears too when Mike Smith, from Shawbirch, turned off the station.

Many workers said it was the end of an era after Mr Smith turned the switch yesterday at 2.40pm.

Every member of staff came to the control room and watched a bit of history being made. For many it also meant the end of a career as the 130-strong team will be reduced to just 14 as the power station is decommissioned.

Businesses in Ironbridge have called on E.on to consult with them about the future of the power station site.

Lisa Snape, of the Best Western Valley Hotel in Ironbridge, said: "Decommissioning of the plant will take some time but it's important the local community is kept in the loop regarding any future demolition or plans for the site.

"The hotel is located extremely close to the chimneys so any demolition could have a serious impact on our business and others in the area. We would urge E.on to start consultation with the community as soon as possible."

Mr Smith was invited back to turn the plant off after it was discovered he was the worker who turned it on in 1969.

"I was very lucky to have that privilege," he said. "And I find myself privileged once again by having the honour of turning it off.

"It's a very sad day, very emotional. It has been a huge part of my life working here. I came here in 1967, and worked at the plant until I retired in 1992.

"Even after I retired I still came back to a bit of paperwork, so it has been a huge part of my life. Many of the faces I am seeing around the plant are people I recognise and some of them I even remember them as apprentices."

As Mr Smith prepared to turn off the power everyone in the room counted down to the moment. The second the plant hit 0MW, he turned the switch, which was met with a huge cheer from staff members who came to watch.

Many people on social media said it was an end of era and how sad they are to see it close. Mike Wake, plant manager, said: "It was a day of mixed emotions.

"But for me the strongest emotion has got to be pride. I am so proud of the team we have here and they should also be proud of what they have achieved and contributed to in the past 46 years."

The plant will now be run by 14 staff members known as the decommission team. They will manage the site and start the work of removing equipment.

E.on is unable to confirm any plans for the future of the plant site.

Originally powered by coal, the station was converted to use biomass fuel.

But it was forced to close because it did not meet European Union environmental rules.

The closure comes as Britain's electricity supplies are expected to be at their tightest levels in a decade this winter – and as Shropshire is set to move into its first cold spell of the winter

Decommissioning work at the plant will end in early 2017.

The team will also remove fixtures and equipment from the buildings, including a large mosaic that was designed and created by pupils from St Martins Modern School in 1966.

The mosaic, which has been prominently displayed in the plant's main conference room, will be returned to the school in Oswestry.

Once the decommissioning process is complete, a decision will be made regarding the future of the Ironbridge site. E.on said updates will be provided "when appropriate".

The government announced that all polluting coal-fired power stations will be closed by 2025. In October the Ironbridge Power Station Abbey Sports and Social Club closed for the last time.

Items from the the club went under the hammer at a special auction. Hundreds of people took the chance to bid for items ranging from chairs to snooker tables.