IT is the dream of most children – and adults – to have the chance of blowing up a big building, but for Lily Sargent it will be a reality in just two days.

The nine-year-old of All Saints Crescent in Westbury beat 600 other entries to win the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity through a competition in May and is now just 48 hours away from writing herself into the history books with a bang.

Lily, of Westbury Junior School, said: “I’ve been talking about it a lot with my friends, but I don’t think they’re that jealous of me because I have to get up so early to do it.

“I’ve been practicing pushing things like bottles with my dad so that I get it right on the day and we’ve been doing fake countdowns as well.

“I’ve been thinking about what to do when I press the button on the morning, I might have to do something a bit funny.

“On the day I will probably be a bit too nervous though.

“I’m really excited and I can’t wait to do it.”

The 30 finalists from the 600 entries in the competition were judged by Dr Andrew Murrison MP, Baroness Scott of Bybrook, leader of Wiltshire Council, and Tarmac's Land and Natural Resources Director, Stuart Wykes.

Lily’s mum, Emma Sargent, said: “Lily’s younger brother, Jacob, keeps referring to the chimney as ‘Lily’s chimney’ every time we drive past it.

“We can’t go anywhere without people talking about it – Lily is like a local celebrity.

“Over the past few days Lily has become a bit quieter, I think she’s getting a bit nervous about it now.

“She never wants to get out of bed so waking her up at 5am could be tricky – she’ll definitely be having an early night on Saturday.

“Her great grandparents are coming down from Morecambe for the big occasion and she will have plenty of other friends and family there cheering her on.

“She told me she is thinking about shouting ‘timber’ as she presses the button – although we will have to wait and see.”