The demolition of London's famous Astoria Theatre, to make way for the Crossrail development, is due to begin in the coming weeks.

A glittering 'Demolition Ball' is to be held later today before the iconic building closes its doors for good.

The Astoria is one of 13 buildings in the Tottenham Court Road area, which is to be knocked down to make way for the £16 billion rail development which will link Maidenhead in Berkshire to Shenfield in Essex, via Heathrow Airport.

A number of acts have been announced for the theatre's final show taking place tonight, including Cajun Dance Party, Mystery Jets, The Horrors and Lightspeed Champion.

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The east-west rail route has been long promised by government and is the biggest transport project in the UK since the Channel Tunnel was built.

The Astoria, along with the other buildings, were subject to compulsory purchase orders after MPs gave final approval for the construction in July of last year.

It is understood the first trains will begin running in 2017 - 20 years after the idea was first approved in 1990 before being shelved due to a number of concerns.

McGee have been awarded the contract to demolish the properties, which they will do floor-by-floor since they are in a controlled area.

Demolition is due to take a year and construction should begin by 2010. TfL are set to award the main construction contact in the autumn.

The Astoria's Demolition Ball, which will mark the closure of the venue, is scheduled for tonight.

(JM/BMcC)