130-ft-deep sink-hole in Derbyshire caused by Christmas storms

Torrential rain has caused the enormous ditch to appear in the Peak District

A giant sink hole has opened in Derbyshire (Rod Kirkpatrick/F Stop Press)

Torrential rain over the festive period has caused a 130-ft deep and 160-ft-wide sink-hole to form in the Peak District.

The growing hole that was part of the old Mill Dam Lead Mine near Buxton in Derbyshire, caved in overnight after water eroded the earth underneath, causing the whole area to collapse.

According to local people, the land began falling in on Sunday.

Electrical engineers assessed the site on Monday to decide how to re-route electric cables, after two poles were left dangling either side of the gaping hole.

Although there has not been any official reason for the ground collapsing yet, according to the British Geological Society, mining can be a factor in causing sinkholes. The process can cause the ground to fall in either by de-watering and lowering the water-table, or by intercepting clay filled voids which go on to collapse.

Several sinkholes in Norwich have been caused by old chalk mines intercepting otherwise stable sediment-filled voids.

Most areas in the UK susceptible to sink-holes are relatively small or are in upland rural locations, with the Peak District having a relatively small population of 37,905. Other areas include areas the Mendips, parts of Wales, and the northern Pennines including the Yorkshire Dales.