Major incident declared over Shropshire canal landslip

A major incident has been declared following reports of a landslip affecting a canal in Shropshire.

Dramatic pictures show a gaping hole in the section of canal in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.

Two narrowboats lie at the bottom of a gaping hole while two boats teeter on the edge of a steep drop of earth. Water has drained from the section completely.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was responding to a landslip and confirmed a canal was affected. There are no reports of casualties, and people nearby are being supported by the service, West Mercia Police confirmed.

The force, which earlier on Monday described the issue as a sinkhole, asked people to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.