A FAMOUS coastal town's landmark is to be saved from sinking with a grant from English Heritage.

Whitby's 199 steps - once a major pilgrims' way and now a key route to the Abbey headland - are being investigated to determine why they are deteriorating at the southern end.

The grant of £11,000 will be used to fund emergency repairs on the Grade I listed North Yorkshire structure, along with archaeological and historical research and structural investigations.

The owners of the steps - the rector and church wardens of the parish of Whitby - have welcomed the work, which should provide a basis for further conservation to be carried out on the steps.

"The steps are an iconic feature of Whitby, but have inevitably suffered wear and tear over the years," said Giles Proctor, English Heritage historic buildings architect for North Yorkshire.

"This grant will provide an insight into the condition of the whole structure and its problems and allow the most urgent repairs to be carried out."

Experts will be brought in to assess the extent and the reason for subsidence at the steps lower end and make recommendations to prevent further deterioration.