Peak District sinkhole appears in Foolow, Derbyshire

Local caver Mark Noble said two similar holes appeared near the site at Foolow in the 1970s

A large sinkhole has appeared in part of the Peak District in Derbyshire.

The hole, which eye witnesses said measures about 160ft (49m) wide, has opened up in the village of Foolow.

Caver Mark Noble, 58, from Eyam, said he saw the hole during a walk on Christmas Day, but believes the land began to fall the day before.

He said he has explored the caves at Foolow in the past as huge cavities were left in the area from an old lead mine.

Mr Noble saw the giant hole during a walk with his wife Wendy on Christmas Day

Mr Noble said: "It's quite a large hole and it's getting bigger all the time. It's probably increased by about 10% since it opened up.

"It is quite interesting but there are two other similar large holes that appeared about half a mile away from this one in the 1970s, so it's not a new thing."

Eyewitnesses say the sinkhole is about 160ft (49m) wide