Geology, flooding and mining are blamed for the problems

Telford and Wrekin Borough Council has secured �3m in government funding to stabilise land below the famous bridge.

In 2003, a report on the World Heritage Site (WHS) warned its future was under threat because of land movements.

Up to three-quarters of the Ironbridge area is unstable, studies have shown. The work will run from September until June next year.

In his 2003 report WHS coordinator Jonathan Lloyd 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.