A BARGE as big as a football stadium is transporting thousands of Norwegian rocks to protect coastal communities from slipping into the sea.

The huge boulders, weighing at least eight tonnes each, are being shipped in to ensure a safer future for those living along the coast at Staithes, near Whitby, and the nearby hamlet of Cowbar.

More than 50,000 tons of rock will be used in the multi-million pound project and the second of three 20,000 ton barges which are transporting the rocks from Norway arrived today.

At low-tide contractors Amec will use 40-ton trucks and 75-tonne excavators, fitted with heavy lifting "sugar tongs" to lift the rocks into position.

Over the past two years, similar schemes have been carried out at Runswick Bay, Whitby, and Robin Hood's Bay.

The scheme aims to protect the base of the cliffs from further sea erosion while a clifftop road at Cowbar is also due to be improved.

The project is being carried out by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Scarborough Borough Council at a cost of more than £3m.

Councillor Sylvia Szintai of Redcar and Cleveland council, said: "We know the people of Cowbar have been calling for this work for a considerable time and now we are in a position to deliver what we believe will give them security for many, many years to come."

Scarborough Borough Council's principal engineer, John Riby, said the work at Staithes harbour is the final phase of efforts to improve village life.

"This scheme will improve the breakwater through the addition of rock armour," he said.

"To add to that, there will be a spur within the harbour to further dilute the power of the waves.

"Wave water used to over-top the sea wall during severe storms and run down the street, near homes and businesses. This work should provide far greater protection from that."

Local residents have also welcomed the work. Michael Stead, of the Black Lion Hotel, said: "It is necessary to protect us from coastal erosion. The Cowbar road has slipped so much in the past five years and most people think it is worthwhile."

Updated: 17.17 Tuesday, July 3