SPECIALIST contractors are being brought in to tackle overgrown rocks and vegetation at the Ness in Shaldon.

Work is due to to start on Monday on the northern side of the headland and is expected to take three weeks.

For safety reasons, the beach and foreshore east of the steps below the Ness House Hotel remain closed due to the risk of rock falls and landslips.

The footpath around the Ness Headland through the woodland, including access to the former viewpoint, also remains closed.

And the South West Coast Path diversion around the Ness remains in place.

A spokesman for Teignbridge Council which is organising the work said: ‘Although the works are expected to take around three weeks, the affected areas are expected to remain closed until the new year.

‘This will give us time to assess the impact of the works and monitor the area following winter weather before deciding when it is safe to reopen.

‘Please follow all signs and barriers around the works area and do not enter closed sections.

‘Thank you for your patience while this important safety work takes place.’

The work comes after a major landslip in April saw tonnes of red sandstone, trees, and other material plunge onto the beach below.

The cliffs are made up of 280-million-year-old soft sandstone which was prone to erosion and have a natural tendency to erode and collapse over time.

Ness Cove beach, both Ness car parks, Shaldon Wildlife Trust, Café ODE, the gift shop, and Shaldon Approach Golf Course all remain open.

Marine Parade and Ness Drive remain unaffected.