Residents evacuated from homes after huge sinkhole opens up

A huge sinkhole has opened up outside a house in the Black Country, forcing nearby residents to evacuate, and neighbours say it's growing.

A small hole opened up in the driveway of a house in Churchfields Road, Wednesbury, on 13 August.

It grew over the next few hours - and is now so large that it has threatened to swallow a neighbour's car.

The wall on the driveway has fallen in and the car is leaning into the gap.

People living nearby say they are now concerned for their own homes.

For one family, who are just moving in, it has been an unpleasant surprise in their new neighbourhood.

The size of the sinkhole - and how fast it has grown - has also caused concern.

Structural engineers are now investigating whether the sinkhole is related to old mine shafts in the area, or if it has been caused by recent heavy rainfall.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council issued a statement, saying: