The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has explained why the historic Drakewalls Mine engine house close to its Tamar Valley Centre headquarters, between Gunnislake and Albaston, has been fenced off.

The AONB says it is all down to the discovery of a collapsed shaft in the mine and adds in a Facebook post: “If you are accessing the grounds of the Tamar Valley Centre (Drakewalls Mine), you will notice a fenced off area.

“Please do not enter the area as a mine shaft has recently collapsed. Investigation surveys are under way and the landowners and managers (including Cornwall Council and the Duchy of Cornwall) are working to identify options for its safety and potential repair.”

If anyone has any queries about the matter, they are advised to contact the Environment Service at Cornwall Council in the first instance at email address [email protected]