Sinkhole opens near Whitburn park
A deep sinkhole has opened up near Whitburn's popular Cornthwaite Park following drainage issues.
The sinkhole has appeared in a field close to Cornthwaite Park and fencing has erected around it for public safety.
South Tyneside Council has confirmed that the sinkhole was caused after a section of pipe being used to drain Whitburn pond collapsed.
Although barriers around the hole are in place, the public right of way remains open.
Work will be carried out to repair the land when weather conditions improve.
A South Tyneside Council spokeswoman said: “A section of pipe used to drain Whitburn pond has collapsed, causing a hole in a field near to Cornthwaite Park.
“The hole has been fenced off to make the area safe and the nearby public right of way remains open.
“Conditions are currently too wet to allow work to be carried out, however once there is a sustained dry period, the pipe will be repaired.”