EXPERTS are being called in to defuse a potential time-bomb on the edge of a village.

For 18 months, the east Cleveland community of Loftus was almost cut off following a landslide.

More recently, it was hit by devastating floods.

Now, it has been revealed, old dangers have been reawakened at a rubbish dump, near the village.

A build-up of groundwater has been detected on the site of an old tip and, with it, the possibility that pockets of methane gas generated by decomposing waste could now be pushed nearer to the surface.

Loftus councillor Dave Walsh, the leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said yesterday: "We have to be extremely careful in dealing with water that is seeping into a closed landfill, as it can cause a build-up of dangerous gases.

"I have a feeling that this groundwater will be coming from springs that have come back to life as a result of the wet weather we have experienced over the past year, and I feel it crucial in terms of public confidence that we put in proper pumping systems to get rid of the waste water.''

The now-closed landfill was operated by the former Cleveland County Council and inherited, upon its demise, by Redcar and Cleveland council.

Water build up in the old dump has been a problem for years. Until now, the problem has been kept under control by pumping away excess water - but has never been overcome.

The installation of drains to intercept the water before it reached the old dump failed to resolve the problem, as did the diversion of a sewer running underneath the tip.

Now, it seems nature may be having a last throw of the dice. Recent rainfall may have revived ancient and forgotten springs below the dump - and they could be the reason for the new build-up.

A consultant is being called in to look at the problem and advise on solutions.

A report to tomorrow's council executive meeting says: "Closed landfill sites generate gases, particularly methane, which require careful control if potentially explosive concentrations are to be avoided.

"A build-up of water can prevent gases passing through the tipped material to the control point.