Wednesday 7 May 2008

BBC NEWS | England | Landslide on Dorset beach

A landslip described as "the worst for 100 years" has destroyed more than 400 metres (1,312 ft) of Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

The earth movement blocked a stretch of beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth at 2031 BST on Tuesday.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said the site was "still rumbling" when crews left for the night. It was too dark to see but work resumed at first light.

Boulders "the size of cars" are still at risk of falling onto the beach.

The area is part of 95 miles (153 km) of Dorset and east Devon known as the Jurassic Coast, with rocks recording 185 million years of the earth's history.

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BBC NEWS | England | Landslide on Dorset beach

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