THE multi-million pound cost of protecting the crumbling coastline of Sussex is being blamed on hungry limpets.

A pioneering study by experts at the University of Sussex has revealed that, rather than rising sea levels, it is the tiny gastropod which represents the greatest threat to parts of the shoreline.

The research shows the limpets may be responsible for up to a third of all natural erosion by nibbling away at soft rocks at such sites as Beachy Head, Saltdean and Birling Gap.

In recent years, millions of pounds have been earmarked for the Sussex coastline to protect

it from the ravages of erosion.

Last year the Government announced a £30 million project to ensure the future of one of the county's most famous sections of coastline at Eastbourne after a large chunk of Beachy Head

collapsed into the sea.

And last month Brighton and Hove Council pleaded for help after warning it needed millions to rebuild its crumbling defences between the Marina and Ovingdean.

The work on the limpet was carried out by PhD student Claire Andrews, who looked at limpet colonies at three key sites, Cuckmere Haven, Birling Gap, and Saltdean. Her findings will be developed further as part of the university's contribution to a £666,000 European research project on coastal erosion.

Ms Andrews was following up on the work of the 19th century scientist Hawkshore, who calculated limpets were reducing the shore at Dover by up to 1.5mm a year.

At the time nobody believed him but Ms Andrews' own studies more than 100 years later appear to back his findings.

By measuring the quantity of chalk in the limpets' faeces, she discovered the limpets are eroding sea cliffs by up to 1.3mm a year.

Dr Rendel Williams, head of the university's environmental

science department, presented the findings at a geography conference at the university.

He said: "It was a very successful pioneer study. One always thinks it is waves, wind, and storms which cause the greatest damage.

"However, where these limpets are found in large quantities they can be really destructive, moving across the chalk like mini-cows grazing away the green film on the rock."

He added: "The consequences are not immediate. We don't have to do anything like kill all limpets."

An Environment Agency spokesman said she did not think the research would change sea defence strategy although the agency would be investigating the findings in more detail.

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