Geology, flooding and mining are blamed for the problems

A report on the world famous tourist attraction warns its future is under threat because of land movements.

But the huge costs of conserving the area have now spiralled out of reach of the borough of Telford and Wrekin's budget.

Up to �1.2m is needed in the short term to complete repairs in the worst affected areas.

In the longer term a multi-million pound scheme must be funded to manage the land slides.

Studies over the last four years have revealed that as much as three quarters of Ironbridge is unstable.

The signs can be seen in ongoing damage to roads, services, walls, buildings and occasionally a major landslip.

This will be a very expensive exercise and beyond the financial means of the local authorities and partner organisations Jonathan Lloyd, WHS coordinator

On 17 November councillors will be asked to support calls for government cash to safeguard the World Heritage Site (WHS).

In his report WHS coordinator Jonathan Lloyd says: "The natural forces at work are such that it is not possible to stop land movement. Our aim will be to 'manage' it to minimise the impact.

"This will be a very expensive exercise and beyond the financial means of the local authorities and partner organisations.

"It is essential therefore to continue to lobby government."

He said Ironbridge has long been troubled by land instability, due mainly to its geology and the history of the area, but the extent of the problem is only now beginning to be uncovered.

Mr Lloyd told BBC News Online he hoped tourism in Ironbridge would not be harmed by the work.

"Clearly any major engineering work is going to have some disruption but our objective is to protect the long term future of the WHS as a major tourist attraction and a place to live and work," he said.