One of Londonderry's most recognisable buildings could be demolished at the weekend despite a plea by the city's mayor for it to be saved.

A demolition company moved onto the site of the derelict Tillie and Henderson factory earlier this week.

Derry City Council has refused to endorse the permission given by the planning services for the listed building, on the Foyle Road, to be torn down.

However, the Environment Minister, Angela Smith, said there was no legal way to save the building.

Angela Smith: "Deeply disappointed"

The minister said an injunction obtained by her department stopping demolition, was no longer in effect.

"We have been trying to take measures for some time now and one of the first things I asked my department when I heard about this today was is there any further legal action we can take to prevent demolition," she said.

"The answer I got was there are no further moves we can take."

However, the city's mayor, Kathleen McCloskey, has contacted the minister to warn that any attempt to knock down the old shirt factory would go against a council motion to save the building.

At last month's meeting, the council unanimously supported a motion calling for the building to be preserved and taken into public ownership.

However, the site's owner has warned demolition may be the only option for safety reasons.

I think it is an outrage that the express wishes of the city council are being ignored Kathleen McCloskey Mayor of Derry

The premises were badly damaged in a series of recent arson attacks.

The minister indicated last month she would consider the factory's future, but did not say when she would make a final decision.

Mrs Smith condemned the apparent intention to demolish the building by the developer.

"I am deeply disappointed with the developer's apparent decision to begin preparatory work to demolish this listed building," she said.

However, Mrs McCloskey said the decision to demolish the factory raised additional concerns regarding public safety implications.

'Ignored'

"I have informed the minister of my fears about the possibility of asbestos content in the structure that could be of danger to the public if the demolition goes ahead," she said.

"It is imperative that plans for demolition are stopped and I appeal directly to the owner to put his plans on hold until a full and complete discussion has taken place with the minister.

"Hasty actions to demolish without planning permission are a cause for grave concern and I think it is an outrage that the express wishes of the city council are being ignored."

The former shirt factory dominates the cityside end of the Craigavon Bridge at Carlisle Square.

The building, which was built in 1856, was seen by many as a symbol of Derry's textile industry, which dominated employment in the city for almost 140 years.