THERE are warnings one of the piers which protects Whitby could “collapse at any time” as a plea for urgent government funding is made to protect the town.

An appeal has been made to the Government for £3.8m of emergency funding to save Whitby’s two landmark piers – amid warnings the situation is now “critical”.

A delegation of politicians in the district has told the Government that the harbour and surrounding homes and businesses could be at risk from the North Sea without swift action to bolster its walled protection.

Whitby MP and Transport Minister, Robert Goodwill and North Yorkshire County Councillor Joe Plant have both urged the Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss to back restoration of the East and West piers.

Coun Plant, who is deputy mayor at Scarborough Borough Council, said 12 years ago, in 2002, the piers were given a life expectancy of ten years.

"The situation is now critical," he added.

"All the evidence has been collated and surveys done. The work must be done - we cannot put the future of Whitby at risk which is what would happen if the piers are not renovated."

The walls have protected Whitby harbour and the town’s harbourside cottages and businesses since 1545, when they were built of timber. They were rebuilt in 1632 using stone and today are English Heritage Grade II-listed structures.

It is believed some form of harbour protection, where the River Esk meets the North Sea, has been present since the early 1300s.

Cllr Plant, who has been one of the leaders in the Scarborough Council initiative to carry out the work, said that while a total of £10m was due to be invested in the two piers, they had not be renovated since 1910.

"Two years ago it was found that the East Pier could collapse at any time," he said.

The Environment Agency is supporting the work which involves matching £4.8m in grant funding.

The West Pier was completely rebuilt in 1814.

The inner harbour - pictured on chocolate box lids and calendars world wide - has three other piers, Tate Hill, famed for featuring in Bram Stoker's classic novel Dracula, along with Bridges Pier and the Fish Pier.