WORK has started to replace a rural footbridge in the Ribble Vally badly damaged by storms in December 2015.

Dinckley Bridge near Hurst Green has been closed since being hit by flooding during storms Frank and Desmond, reducing the options available for walkers.

The structure across the River Ribble, a rare pedestrian suspension bridge, suffered severe damage.

Now Lancashire County Council has begun work to replace the bridge and raise its height to mitigate against future flood damage using £1.5million from the Department for Transport.

The contractor is now building a compound and constructing an access track from Kenyon Lane, with work to remove the old bridge due to begin shortly.

Cllr Keith Iddon, county council cabinet member for highways, said: "We decided that replacing the bridge would provide the best value for money, as the existing one was over 60 years old and would soon have needed considerable maintenance on top of the work to repair the flood damage. "

The replacement bridge will be a lightweight curved steel truss, with the width increased to two metres to provide more passing space for walkers. There will be steps on the north bank and a ramp at the south to allow for the additional clearance below the bridge, which will be supported by stone-faced abutments.