Landslides threaten Iron Bridge

Built in 1779 the Iron Bridge is now a major tourist attraction

Landslides are threatening the world's first iron bridge - an iconic symbol of the industrial revolution.

The Iron Bridge in Shropshire was built across the River Severn in 1779 by Abraham Darby III but land slips have caused it to become distorted.

Engineers are to spend £100,000 putting instruments at either end of the structure to measure the landslides.

Telford and Wrekin Council said the project aims to find ways to prevent further damage.

Industrial centre

Ironbridge Gorge, which took its name from the bridge, is a World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction.

The area's resources of coal, limestone, wood, iron ore, clay and water enabled it to become a leading industrial centre in the 18th Century.

It was there that Abraham Darby, grandfather of the bridge builder, perfected a technique for manufacturing iron using coke.

This allowed, for the first time, the mass production of high quality iron in 1709.

But the valley is now largely rural with very little heavy industry.

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The banks of the River Severn have been slowly collapsing