ROAD TO RUINS

Residents fear for homes as storms causé landslide

- DAN WARBURTON

A LANDSLIDE has left homeowners fearing their properties are about to slide over a cliff edge.

Dr Ralitsa Hiteva paid £460,000 for her detached "forever home" in 2020, but has now been evicted.

Recent storms and downpours have washed 25 metres of her garden away and wrecked her swimming pool.

She fears her four-bedroom house could follow.

She said: "Every day a little bit more goes. It's horrifying."

Dr Hiteva, 41, heard "trees crunching" on Valentine's Day. She said: "I went outside and cracks were opening up around our feet. The landslide developed very quickly.

"It ate straight through the bank, our garden and about 25 trees."

Her house overlooks Old Roar Gill in St Leonards, East Sussex. Hastings Borough Council has issued Emergency Prohibition Orders to Dr Hiteva and a neighbour.