This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/dorset/7386923.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Landslip is 'worst in 100 years' Landslip is 'worst in 100 years'
(about 3 hours later)
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.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.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.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.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.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.
There's a risk of rocks coming down - the size of car engines, possibly the size of cars Richard EdmondsJurassic Coast World Heritage CentreThere's a risk of rocks coming down - the size of car engines, possibly the size of cars Richard EdmondsJurassic Coast World Heritage Centre
It was England's first natural Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage Site.It was England's first natural Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage Site.
Brian Thornber, whose property is just a few hundred metres from the landslide, said he feared for his home.Brian Thornber, whose property is just a few hundred metres from the landslide, said he feared for his home.
"It's worrying in the background but there's nothing we can do personally to stop it," he said."It's worrying in the background but there's nothing we can do personally to stop it," he said.
"We're just praying that the government will provide some money so that west Dorset and the contractors can carry out the full stabilisation.""We're just praying that the government will provide some money so that west Dorset and the contractors can carry out the full stabilisation."
Portland Coastguard was alerted to the landslide after several 999 calls on Tuesday night.Portland Coastguard was alerted to the landslide after several 999 calls on Tuesday night.
Police said it was the "worst landslide for 100 years".Major schemes have been carried out to protect the town from landslides Police said it was the "worst landslide for 100 years".The Jurassic coast is a very popular fossiling area
The area affected, about the length of four football pitches, is still very unstable.The area affected, about the length of four football pitches, is still very unstable.
"It's a very, very popular fossiling area, so our main concern is to keep members of the public away because it's such a big landslip - it's the biggest they've seen," a Portland Coastguard spokeswoman said."It's a very, very popular fossiling area, so our main concern is to keep members of the public away because it's such a big landslip - it's the biggest they've seen," a Portland Coastguard spokeswoman said.
Richard Edmonds, earth science manager at the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Centre, said the landslide was part of a "natural process".Richard Edmonds, earth science manager at the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Centre, said the landslide was part of a "natural process".
"Landslips are quite frequent here but the one we've had this morning is really quite big in comparison, really quite spectacular."Landslips are quite frequent here but the one we've had this morning is really quite big in comparison, really quite spectacular.
"It just happened that this is a particularly large landslip - the last big one was probably 1986."It just happened that this is a particularly large landslip - the last big one was probably 1986.
"There's a risk of rocks coming down - the size of car engines, possibly the size of cars.""There's a risk of rocks coming down - the size of car engines, possibly the size of cars."
He added, however, that the worst of it was now over.He added, however, that the worst of it was now over.
He said the debris would be broken up naturally and that the "sea will do all the work for us".He said the debris would be broken up naturally and that the "sea will do all the work for us".
He added that once the area was safe, people would be able to hunt for fossils.He added that once the area was safe, people would be able to hunt for fossils.
"Once they've fallen out of the cliff, they'll only get smashed up by the sea," he added."Once they've fallen out of the cliff, they'll only get smashed up by the sea," he added.
Lyme Regis is built on a particularly unstable stretch of coastline and previous smaller landslips have exposed fossils on the beaches.Lyme Regis is built on a particularly unstable stretch of coastline and previous smaller landslips have exposed fossils on the beaches.
The coastline has seen numerous stabilisation projects in the past to stop it from crumbling into the sea.The coastline has seen numerous stabilisation projects in the past to stop it from crumbling into the sea.
In February, a consultation began with residents for a new £21m scheme that would have included a new sea wall on the eastern side of the town.In February, a consultation began with residents for a new £21m scheme that would have included a new sea wall on the eastern side of the town.
West Dorset District Council has already carried out two major schemes to protect and stabilise the town.West Dorset District Council has already carried out two major schemes to protect and stabilise the town.


/>
Have you seen the landslip? Do you live in the area? Send your pictures and comments using the post form below:Have you seen the landslip? Do you live in the area? Send your pictures and comments using the post form below:
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can href="http://bbcnewsupload.streamuk.com/">upload here. href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2780295.stm#yourpics">Read the terms and conditions Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can href="http://bbcnewsupload.streamuk.com/">upload here. href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2780295.stm#yourpics">Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
Name