COUNCIL engineers will meet with mining consultants today to examine a gaping hole which suddenly appeared in an area of old mine workings near Newcastle International Airport.

The crater, 80ft wide and about 100ft deep, was discovered by a member of the public at the Prestwick Carr Nature Reserve near Dinnington Northumberland, at the weekend.

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said that the area had been cordoned off to stop people venturing too close.

The hole, at the site of the former Prestwick pit, began to develop on Saturday. It is believed to have been caused by the weight of excessive rainwater on the disused mineshaft.

A council spokesman said: "There a lot of old mine workings in the area.

"Engineers from the council will be working with mining consultants from the Coal Authority to see what can be done.