Villagers in Cheslyn Hay have been warned of a potential killer beneath their feet.

A collapsed mine shaft has sparked fears people could be at risk by trespassing on land in the village littered with forgotten shafts.

Landowner Ken Lees is warning people to stay off the fields on Upper Landywood Lane after the collapse of a mine shaft in recent weeks.

Mr Lees, aged 72, is concerned the old mines could collapse without warning posing a threat to walkers or children. He has now erected seven signs around the land, next to the Fishers Farm nurseries, warning people to stay away.

Workmen from the Coal Authority have been at the site of the collapsed mine, which could be deeper than 50ft, since Monday and are working to put a concrete cap on top of the shaft to make it safe.

The surrounding land is littered with as many as 30 mine shafts. The site has a mining history of at least 120 years. The shafts can open up without warning when old seals to the mine rot or break.

Mr Lees, who hopes to develop part of the land in the future said: “I am warning people not to go on this land and where they use the public footpath to stick to the path and not wander or they could find themselves in difficulty.”