Coventry landmarks loved and lost

COVENTRY'S landscape is in a constant state of flux.

- By ANTONIA BANNISTER & RACHEL STRETTON

Buildings are being razed to make room for towering skyscrapers.

Beloved artwork is vanishing, replaced by contemporary masterpieces.

To reminisce about the Coventry many of us recall, we're taking a nostalgic look back at some of the city's most iconic buildings and statues that have now become part of history.

Hippodrome: Nearly two decades ago, the Hippodrome was demolished to pave the way for Millennium Place, which aimed to create a "21st century meeting place" for the city.

Once known as the New Hippodrome, this Art Deco-style building opened its doors in 1937.

Big names such as George Formby and Gracie Fields were among those who wished the theatre a bright future at its grand opening.

The New Hippodrome took the place of the neighbouring Old Hippodrome, which had opened in 1906 and was later torn down.

In turn, it had replaced an even older Hippodrome, which first opened for business as far back as 1884.

City Walls: The ambitious project to encircle the town began in 1355 and took a staggering 180 years to complete.

It was spurred on by fears of threats from criminal gangs in the countryside seeking wealthy targets in towns.

The city's walls stood for centuries before they came under attack in 1642, thanks to Charles I.

During the civil war, the city's defences, a symbol of economic power, were targeted by cannons in an attempt to use the city as a military base.