BELLE TOUT finally started moving this morning.

Work to stop the 164-year-old Beachy Head lighthouse falling into the sea started at 9.25am.

Owner Mark Roberts gave the site a last inspection before the 850-tonne structure started its 50ft journey inland along specially designed girders.

The Roberts family have campaigned to save the famous landmark since buying the building in 1996.

They have been battling to save it from the effects of an average 5ft of coastal erosion each year.

Mark, 33, said: "I'm totally relieved. It's all our dreams come true.

"We have to thank the thousands of people who have given their support throughout the campaign."

Crowds of up to 25,000 are expected to visit the landmark as efforts to move it continue throughout today and into the night.

By the end of the rescue mission, Belle Tout, perched just 10ft from the cliff edge since a massive rock fall in November last year, should be safeguarded from further erosion for at least another 50 years.

Mark, wife Louise, 29, and their eldest child, Haven, were forced to flee for their lives in the early hours that day when a sudden rumble woke them.

This morning the atmosphere, helped by the high temperature and sunny skies, was far more upbeat.

In a speech to the assembled media, all wearing hard hats, Mark said: "This shows anything can be achieved if you are determined enough to see it through."

Then 93-year-old Joy Cullinan, who owned Belle Tout from 1955 to 1980, pulled the switch to set the hydraulic pump into action

Smiling and posing for photos with Mark and Louise, she said: "Congratulations, really well done."

With the coast road closed off to private traffic today visitors have been forced to take to the buses.

Bus firms were charging £3.50 for adults for a return trip from Eastbourne's Congress Theatre to a road block at Beachy Head.

Onlookers, workers and the Press were moved away from the area for a short time this morning after police received a call about a suspicious package under the lighthouse.

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