A BRIDGE dating back to the Victorian era has been totally refurbished at a cost of more than £300,000.

The imposing structure at Myton on Swale, near Boroughbridge, has been restored thanks to a team effort involving the county council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Hambleton District Council and the Friends of Myton Bridge.

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

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

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

The original bridge contained about 70 tons of cast iron and wrought iron and cost just over £2,000. However it was declared unsafe for public use in 1998.

It remained in private ownership until last year when it was taken over by the county council.

Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, will reopen the bridge on Saturday.

The county council's executive member for environmental services, Peter Sowray, said: "It is an historic feature which has attracted a lot of local attention. I'm pleased that so many organisations were able to contribute towards the refurbishment."