A SIGNIFICANT step towards repairing some of the damage done by flash floods in Swaledale was confirmed yesterday.

The Department of the Environment (DETR) has said it will cover just over half the costs of rebuilding Reeth's historic swing bridge, swept away by the River Swale, on September 19.

The news has been welcomed by chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, David Butterworth, but he pointed out that, despite the £36,000 grant, there is more work to do.

He said: "The estimate for rebuilding the structure is £70,000, plus an additional £16,000 for removing the original structure from the river.

"The DETR's contribution goes some way towards this overall figure, but significant funding is still required from other sources.

"We are in negotiation with a number of partners, and I am optimistic that we will soon be in a position to announce plans to reinstate what is a unique landmark in Swaledale."

National Park authority members will be updated on the funding position at a meeting on Tuesday, at the Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes.