Tomb collapse exposes underground crypt from 1700s

The collapsed box tomb sat upon a large underground crypt, thought to have been constructed in the 1700s

An ancient box tomb thought to be built in the 1700s has collapsed in a church cemetery, exposing a large underground crypt.

The 12ft (3.6m) hole opened up at All Saints Church in Martock, Somerset, on Saturday afternoon, the day before Remembrance Sunday services were held inside.

Rev Paul Fillery said it was likely caused by rain gradually eroding the soil and foundations, but the church would not know for certain until a survey was completed.

Martock Parish Council, which is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the churchyard, which is now full, secured the site with safety barriers.

The collapse revealed the underground crypt's Ham stone walls, which today is only quarried in two active areas at Ham Hill in Somerset

Rev Fillery said the 300-year-old tomb had caved "quite suddenly" into a "large sinkhole".

He added they could sadly no longer read the inscription because the tomb had been reduced to a "pile of rubble".

It is currently unclear whether the collapse has damaged surrounding graves or how fragile the ground is.

"We are working together with the parish council and taking expert advice from the diocese as to the best way forward," he said.

"We will be sure that it is safely secured until all essential repairs are complete. Needless to say, it has already seen a lot of visitors come by to view the site."

All Saints Church was built over several centuries, with parts dating back to the 13th Century and significant rebuilding in the 15th and 16th Centuries.

The church has put up a safety barrier around the tomb