WORK starts today shoring up cliffs in Scarborough, which sent tons of earth sliding on to footpaths during November's heavy rain.

The resort's Castle Holms area has been identified as the priority, and contractors will spend the next few weeks sinking deep-bored piles, and improving drainage there.

The bill for the work, carried out under the umbrella of the Coastal Defence Strategy, is estimated at about £300,000.

Parts of Marine Drive may also be closed while work is in progress.

Scarborough Borough Council's environmental health and control chief, Councillor Godfrey Allanson, said yesterday: "These works are aimed at securing these very important coastal assets.

"We are discussing with the Government's agencies how this work, and work at other areas affected in the aftermath of the flooding, can be funded.

"We are optimistic that we will be able to attract grant aid for this first piece of work.''