Around 100 households living below unstable slopes in a north-east village have evacuated their homes.

Householders at Bervie Braes in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire were advised to leave their homes on Thursday after landslides crashed into houses.

On Thursday a huge section of the cliff slid down into one resident’s house bringing tonnes of mud and rocks with it.

Homeowner Richard Barnes, who has lived below the Braes for 17 years, described the moment the landslide smashed into the home he shares with his partner.

He said: “My alarm came on at 6.15am and I heard cracking and smashing – terrible noises and I thought, ‘oh my god, this is happening’.

“We could see tonnes of mud pushing against the window, smashing the glass and coming into the kitchen.

“We’d been waiting for it to happen and we’d been living in trepidation. But it’s such a shock to see your home in a state like us.”

Mr Barnes has been he will need to find alternative accommodation for at least two months.

Further falls have affected the harbour area where a section of the footpath has collapsed.

Council engineers have been in the area on Friday investigating the slopes.

Rainfall on Friday has been minimal leading to hopes the situation would not deteriorate further.

However Aberdeenshire Council are advising those affected to stay away from their homes until further notice.

Around a quarter of those living in the area have opted not to evacuate.

A council spokesman said those who opted to remain in their homes have been informed of the risks of doing so.

Council officials will visit the remaining households on Friday.

A helpline has been set up for those affected on 08456 08 12 06.

The Bervie Braes lie on privately owned-ground and neither Aberdeenshire Council nor the Scottish Government is responsible for their upkeep.

Last week Finance Secretary John Swinney met with the local authority to discuss a £5.7million body of works to stabilise the ground.