A Victorian wreck that is due to be removed from a Somerset beach for safety reasons may be allowed to stay.

The Norwegian vessel, the Nornen, has been beached at Berrow, near Burnham-on-Sea, since 1897.

In July, the local council decided to move the wreck as it could be dangerous, and because they could be legally liable in the event of an accident.

Now, a recent ruling in the House of Lords could keep the wreck where she is.

Nobody in the council wanted the wreck moved Council spokeswoman

A Sedgemoor District Council spokeswoman told BBC News Online: "In a recent case involving a council and a quarry, the Lords ruled that if there were obvious dangers involved, responsibility was down to the individual - and not the landowner."

The council is seeking legal advice - expected in the next six to eight weeks - about whether this affects the Berrow wreck.

If it does, the wreck may rest in peace on the beach.

"Nobody in the council wanted the wreck moved," the spokeswoman added.

"But it was identified as a risk and as a public body, we could not ignore this."

No action to remove the wreck will be taken until legal opinion has been returned.