North Yorkshire County Council has defied protests from English Heritage and decided to press ahead with widening an 18th Century Grade II-listed bridge.

Creet's Bridge, at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, has been shut for 15 months following flood damage.

Since then there has been a groundswell of public opinion to widen the bridge, rather than simply replace the old, narrow structure.

Despite pleas from local parish councils and public meetings, English Heritage refused to drop its objections. It said the bridge should be rebuilt exactly as it was.

Now North Yorkshire County Council's cabinet has given unanimous backing to widening the bridge by 6ft 6in so that it can cope with modern traffic, including heavy vehicles.

The decision was hailed by Kirkby Malzeard's county councillor Paul Richardson as "marvellous news".

English Heritage refused to comment on the county council's decision and referred all inquiries to its London office.

A spokesman in London promised a statement later.