CONCERNED residents living near a collapsed mineshaft have been told their homes are safe.

Residents on Halkyn Mountain, Rhesycae had a shock on Monday morning when they discovered a 30-foot hole in the common just yards from the primary school.

Yesterday yellow tape around the scene had been replaced with a secure wooden fence to keep people and grazing sheep from gaining access.

Edwin Christmas, from landowners the Grosvenor Estate, said: “We’d like to reassure people in Rhesycae that we are working to resolve this as soon as possible.

“We have secured the site and would ask people to stay away while works continue. Because this area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation we will be working very closely with the Countryside Council for Wales and Flintshire County Council to identify the best way of making the site safe.”

Bosses say bilingual warning signs will be in place soon.