A sinkhole has appeared in a path in a residential area just outside the city. 

The hole has been discovered in Linton Crescent, opposite the end of Linton Close, in Sprowston. 

Photos show the pavement has collapsed, exposing a hole beneath the path's surface.

Norwich Evening News: Cones have been placed around the sinkhole Cones have been placed around the sinkhole (Image: Supplied)

People living in the area have expressed concerns over the proximity of the hole to local schools and it was quickly reported to the council. 

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A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: "Our Out of Hours Team attended last night to make the area safe overnight.

Norwich Evening News: The sinkhole in Linton CrescentThe sinkhole in Linton Crescent (Image: Lee Sayers)"Area Technicians will attend today and then programme any investigation works accordingly."

The British Geological Survey describes sinkholes as usually being "saucer-shaped hollows that are the result of some kind of collapse or removal of an underlying layer of rocks that used to support the layer of material at the surface".

Several processes can trigger sinkholes, including heavy rain and flooding, water leaks, building works, changes in the water table level and mining.