Whaley Bridge evacuated amid fears of dam collapse

Community could be levelled if Toddbrook Resevoir barrier bursts

Around 400 tonnes of aggregate brought in overnight to divert water

RAF helicopter called in to aid effort

Police say future of dam 'remains in balance'

Thousands of residents in the Derbyshire town of Whaley Bridge have been evacuated amid fears a dam could collapse after it was damaged by floodwaters.

Concrete panels on one side of the dam on the Toddbrook Resevoir, which holds back 300 million gallons of water, partially collapsed.

By 2.30pm on Thursday it was deemed too unsafe for people in the village below, who were ordered to "evacuate your property now".

There are concerns the village could be levelled if the dam, which dates to 1838, gives way.

Derbyshire Police said 400 tonnes of aggregate will be brought in overnight to divert water from entering the reservoir, with a Chinook helicopter aiding a multi-agency taskforce.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann, chairwoman of the Local Resilience Forum, said: "To move the substantial amount of aggregate into place - a Chinook helicopter will be operating in the area in the coming hours to allow precise placement and divert the flow of the water.

"With all that said, at this time the future of the dam wall remains in the balance and I would remind people of the very real danger posed to them should the wall collapse."