Major incident declared over canal sinkhole

A major incident has been declared over what police have called a sinkhole at a canal in Shropshire, leaving boats either stricken in a gaping cavity or teetering on the edge of a steep drop.

Pictures appear to show that the structural integrity of a stretch of waterway in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch has completely given way.

Two narrowboats are said to have sunk into the hole, into which water looks to have drained completely.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was responding to a landslip and confirmed a canal was affected. There are no reports of casualties, and people nearby are being supported by fire crews, according to West Mercia Police.