DOVER Coastguard are monitoring huge amounts of timber which are floating up the English Channel.

Several beaches in Sussex have been closed to prevent people stealing the timber which has been washed up.

It has come from the Greek-registered Ice Prince which sank 10 days ago off the Dorset coast.

The Coastguard believe some of the timber could continue up the Channel and be washed up on beaches in Kent.

Shipping in the Channel has been warned of the hazard posed by the timber which is in 10-metre (33-foot) lengths.

People who take any of it could face prosecution under the Merchant Shipping Act.