A LARGE sink hole has been discovered on a town sea front.

Millom Coastguard Rescue Team has cordoned off an area of the sea front after a large sink hole appeared on Wednesday.

The coastguard team are advising walkers not to get too close to the area due to the nearby ground being 'unstable'

A spokesman for Millom Coastguard Rescue Team said: "We have been made aware of a large sink hole which has appeared on the sea wall, close to the lighthouse.

"Apart from the obvious danger of people or animals falling into it, the adjacent ground may also become unstable."

A spokesman for the coastguard said the team were unsure how deep the sinkhole was but walkers should give it a 'wide berth'.

He said: "It is unknown at this point how deep it goes.

"We advise the public not to get too close, and give it a wide berth.

"The team have been out and put warning tape around the area.

"The relevant people, and authorities, have been informed.

"Please stay safe and keep away from the immediate area.

"At this time the actual depth of it is unknown."

The coastguard reassured members of the public that the area has been taped off and the relevant authorities were informed.

A sinkhole, is a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer.

It can also occur when the land is parched.

The most commonly affected areas include areas of land with limestone or chalk foundations.

While they are very common in the United States, they do form in the UK from time to time.

Areas in the UK that are more prone to sinkholes include Dorset, Hampshire, the Chilterns, parts of Wales and Yorkshire.