NEARLY £300,000 is to be spent by Scarborough Borough Council on studies to assess the condition of its 67km coastline.

In a report, head of engineering services John Riby says the "soft" geology of cliffs in some areas has resulted in ground instability.

"The majority of the coastline comprises of sandstone and shale cliffs, boulder clay and harder chalk south of Filey," he says in the report.

Areas to be investigated include Castle Holms, North and South Bay, in Scarborough, Whitby cliffs and Filey Brigg.

The studies could lead to remedial work to sea walls at Scarborough and Robin Hood's Bay, painting of seafront railings, sea walls, beach access slipways and rock and cliff inspection work.

Work costing some £30m is being carried out to create coastal defences around Scarborough's Marine and Royal Albert Drives, and to restore the 250-year-old East Pier, the harbour's main protection.