Mine shaft collapses on hillside

The hole in a field on the Powys-Shropshire border was reported on Sunday. Enlarge Image

Part of a hillside in Powys has been sealed off after what is believed to be the collapse of an old mine shaft.

One family have been forced to move from their chalet home to a relative's house next door because of safety concerns.

A hole, around 50ft across and 30ft deep (9m by 15m), opened up at Priestweston near Montgomery.

There are old lead and silver mine workings in the area, dating back to the 1800s.

Dyfed-Powys Police initially cordoned off the area around the hole and closed a road, which is right on the border with Shropshire. It has now been sealed off by Powys Council.

Experts from the local authority and counterparts in Shropshire are trying to assess who is responsible for it, and whether it affects the nearby road.

John Hughes, who lives in one of the three homes near the hole, said he was told by police to move out from the chalet home he shares with his wife and four children, aged between two and seven.

Mr Hughes said the hole was spotted on Sunday morning.

He said: "Every time a vehicle went past, a bit more fell in so we rang the police."

The hole is close to the border of Powys and Shropshire

In the meantime, they have moved into his wife's parents' house, 10 metres from the hole.

Mr Hughes said he knew of mineshafts in the area but had been unaware of one under the road.

Police at the scene confirmed that the unclassified road leading from Priestweston to White Grit, next to the hole, has been closed for safety checks.

The force was first alerted at about 1100 GMT.

Large pieces of earth have been slipping into the growing hole.

Its believed that the actual mineshaft workings go down to a depth of around 800ft.

The area is popular with walkers.