A BUSY bridge in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales has had to be closed to traffic in the middle of the tourist season.

The stone bridge across the Swale at Middleham was damaged in a heavy impact, probably with a truck, at the weekend.

The damage was so severe that one of the supporting arches was in danger of collapse and county council engineers promptly closed it to traffic. It is expected to cost about £12,000 to repair.

A team of experts from Wilf Noble Contractors, of Whitby, are now working round-the-clock in an effort to have the bridge re-opened by the bank holiday.

Although a diversion has been set up and signs erected motorists have been warned that delays are inevitable and to allow more time for their journeys.

After the collision at the weekend the vehicle disappeared and the driver failed to report what had happened.

The county council is trying to trace the vehicle and is appealing for anyone who may have seen the accident, or who knows anything about it, to contact the council's bridges manager, John Smith, on (01609) 780780.

"This bridge was virtually rebuilt five years ago at a cost of about £250,000 and we are very keen to track down who was responsible, otherwise the bill will have to be met out of council taxpayers' pockets," said a spokesman.