A BARGE as big as the Riverside stadium is transporting thousands of Norwegian rocks to protect coastal communities from slipping into the sea.

The huge boulders, which weigh at least eight tonnes each, are being shipped in to ensure a safer future for the people of Staithes and the neighbouring hamlet of Cowbar, on the boundary with Redcar and Cleveland. More than 50,000 tonnes of rock will be used in the project.

The second of three 20,000 tonne barges bringing the rocks from Norway arrived earlier this week.

At low-tide contractors Amec will be using 40-tonne trucks and 75-tonne excavators, fitted with heavy lifting 'sugar tongs', to lift the rocks into place.

The scheme aims to protect the base of the cliffs from further sea erosion. A clifftop road at Cowbar will also be improved.

The project is being carried out in a joint contract by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Scarborough Borough Council and will cost more than £3m.

Over the past two years similar schemes have been completed at Runswick Bay, Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay.

Councillor Sylvia Szintai, lead member for environment and infrastructure with Redcar and Cleveland, said she was delighted that the scheme was going ahead.

"We know the people of Cowbar have been calling for this work for a considerable time and now we are in a position to deliver what we believe will give them security for many, many years to come."

Scarborough Borough Council's principal engineer, John Riby, said the work at Staithes harbour is the final phase of efforts to improve village life.

"This scheme will improve the breakwater through the addition of rock armour. To add to that, there will be a spur within the harbour to further dilute the power of the waves."