It was big enough, and important enough, to be signposted from the A419.

But within months, or even weeks, it will be rubble, and soon the Honda site will be totally cleared.

Huge excavators are already tearing down sections of the massive Honda factory on the old South Marston airfield.

And at an official groundbreaking ceremony of the development that replace the factory, developer Panattoni’s boss Matthew Byron said the work had been progressing - a bit too fast.

He told dignitaries including Swindon Mayor Barbara Parry and council leader Jim Robbins: “The work started last week, and we are standing in front of it deliberately to show you something and to symbolise the change.

“But it was going so fast we were concerned there wouldn’t be anything to show you today, so we had to ask our contractors to slow down.”

The site of the buildings being torn down was especially poignant for Mayor Parry – her husband Councillor Kevin Parry had worked at Honda for 27 years.

Cllr Parry added: “His parents had worked at Vickers before that and met there, so there is a strong link.

“It is the end of an era – but this is also a very exciting opportunity for Swindon.”

Mr Byron said more than 90 per cent of the material used in the fabric of the factory would be recycled.