A SUCCESSFUL £300,000 project to rebuild a historic bridge has been crowned with a national accolade.

The Institution of Civil Engineers described the work, at Myton-on-Swale, near Boroughbridge, as fabulous.

The project was one of only five honoured with their top accolade at their annual historic bridges and infrastructure awards.

The county council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Hambleton District Council, consultants MouchelParkman, the Waste Recycling Environmental Network and the Friends of Myton Bridge were all involved in the scheme.

The bridge was originally built in 1868 for Major Henry Miles Stapylton, the Lord of the Manor.

It carries a public bridleway over the River Swale and links the village with Ellenthorpe and Boroughbridge. It once provided a link to the railway at Myton Gates.

It is more than 200ft long with a central span of 100ft made of three curved cast iron ribs 2ft 6in deep. The panels above the ribs include the Stapylton family coat of arms.

The original bridge contained about 70 tons of cast and wrought iron and cost just over £2,000. However, it was declared unsafe in 1998. It remained in private ownership until last year when it was taken over by the county council.

The main contractors for the restoration were Lumsden and Carrol, of Durham, while the cast-iron work was carried out by Casting Repairs, of Chesterfield.

The county's executive member for environmental services, Councillor Peter Sowray, said: "The bridge has been rebuilt for the good of the local community. It is a historic feature which has attracted a lot of local attention and an increasing number of visitors.

"I'm pleased that so many different organisations were able to contribute towards its refurbishment."