Beaches to remain shut for weeks

Worthing beach was shut to allow contractors to removed the timber

Beaches along the south coast of England that were closed after 2,000 tonnes of timber washed up will remain shut for several weeks, officials said.

Local councils have now been given permission by insurers to turn the wood into chippings rather than destroy it.

Beaches along the Sussex coast from Ferring to Hastings were littered with the timber after the Ice Prince ship sank in rough weather off Dorset.

West Sussex County Council said the coast would be shut for several weeks.

The beaches were closed to allow heavy machinery to remove the washed-up cargo.

Public safety

West Sussex County councillor Peter Evans said: "We are delighted that the cargo insurers have agreed the wood can be chipped.

"It means the timber can be recycled instead of destroyed, and it will significantly reduce the number of large vehicles going down to the beach front."

Sussex Police warned people against removing the timber, saying they could be liable to prosecution and arrest under the Merchant Shipping Act.

Barriers and cordons were erected along the beach, with "public safety the key element".

Timber still aboard

The Greek-registered Ice Prince sank about 26 miles (42km) off Portland Bill in Dorset on 15 January.

Wood came ashore as far away as Hove. Pic by Martin Poole

The 10m (33ft) lengths of sawn wood were put on board in bundles, but sea conditions broke many of them apart.

A West Sussex council spokesman said about 3,000 tonnes of timber was still aboard the Ice Prince, but surveys showed it was secure and unlikely to escape into the sea.

They said some local authorities were currently paying for clear-up operation but the money would be refunded when insurance claims were settled.