DRILLING work is about to begin to check the stability of a disused mine in Hartlepool.

Two rigs will be used to bore holes in the ground so that experts can assess the condition of the town's former anhydrite mine, which was closed 75 years ago.

The drilling will take place on a playing field off West View Road and is scheduled to last around seven weeks.

The mineral mine is on four levels and these latest works are part of an on-going site stability investigation, commissioned by Hartlepool Council, which began in 2000.

Dennis Hancock, a senior engineer with the council, said: "The intention is to drill down until we reach the roof of the mine so that we can establish exactly where the roof is.

"Holes will then be drilled through the roof in certain places and a sonar monitoring device will be used to determine the condition of the rest of the mine, including the state of the support pillars.

"Special monitoring holes will also be created and sealed, and we will be able to use these to carry out checks in the future - without the need for further drilling."

The mine operated between 1923 and 1930 and is 62m deep in places, with a series of connecting tunnels.

The site investigation, which is being funded by Hartlepool Council and English Partnerships, is due to begin in earnest next week. Drilling will take place mainly from Monday to Friday, although there may be a need for limited weekend working.

Letters explaining the nature of the works have been sent by the council to around 100 homes in the immediate vicinity.