PARTS of Hartlepool's crumbling coastline could disappear into the sea unless millions of pounds in funding can be found to make essential repairs.
Experts have described the condition of some sections of the coastline as the worst they have ever seen, with piers, walls, footpaths and steps all under threat of collapse.
Hartlepool Council has an annual budget of £320,000 to maintain and repai
r breaches to coastal defences but the estimated bill to carry out the major repair work stands at a staggering £41m.
Hartlepool Borough Council's director of neighbourhood services, Dave Stubbs, said: "In terms of erosion, this is the worst I have ever seen it.
"The Victorians did a lot for us but they failed to provide adequate foundations for our coastal defences.
"Without substantial government funding we are facing serious erosion."
Click to read more....The threat to out coastlineErosion 'worst ever'Walker swallowed up by sinking promThe areas at risk
