A MYSTERIOUS sinkhole in Cirencester's busy Brewery car park will be 'urgently' repaired by a nearby Chinese restaurant, as they own this part of the land.

A Standard reader, who wished not to be named, sent in these pictures of a sinkhole which has suddenly appeared in the busy town centre car park.

Cotswold District Council immediately investigated and visited the site yesterday.

The council has said it is not within their boundary of ownership, but instead belongs to a Chinese restaurant nearby.

However, the council has placed two large cones at the site to ensure the public are aware of the hazard.

Sinkholes are common where the rock below the ground surface is limestone or other carbonate rock, salt beds, or in other rocks that can be dissolved naturally by circulating ground water.

The restaurant owners have said they will assess the damage early next week and carry out any necessary repairs.

A CDC spokesman said: "We have made it clear that the safety of the general public is paramount and have asked them to attend to this matter urgently."