A demolition gang was today tearing down a National Trust cottage teetering on a crumbling cliff top.

Workers yesterday began dismantling number 2 Crangon Cottages at Birling Gap, near Eastbourne.

The side of the late 19th Century cottage is within 10ft of a 30ft drop over the cliff edge.

The National Trust bought the cottage last year knowing it would have to be demolished after Wealden District Council declared it unsafe.

It is one of five terraced cottages threatened because the cliff erodes by some 3ft a year. Three are owned by the National Trust.

The terrace was built for coastguards 125 years ago.

Cottage owner Richard Worsell, 61, plans to fight on to save his property, which is next door to number 2.

He said: "I have predicted I have about three years to go before my cottage gets too near.

"But I plan to stand my ground. Some people have questioned my sanity in buying this place when it's so close but that was my choice."

More than 60,000 people signed a petition to build a sea barrier at the foot of the cliff.

But a Government inspector ruled it would not save the cottages and would damage the environment.

Lord Harris of High Cross, chairman of the Birling Gap Cliff Protection Association, said: "Sadly we must stand by and watch the demolition men do their worst."

The trust bought the privately-owned cottages as a goodwill gesture, taking responsibility for demolition work.