DAMAGED bridges in remote areas of the North York Moors National Park will be repaired with the help of helicopters.

Highway engineers said the move was the best way to get materials to bridges damaged in last year's floods to repair them.

More than 40 bridges were damaged in June's floods, in which some parts of the park were cut off.

Senior ranger Colin Dilcock said: "Everything will be done to keep disruption to a minimum.

"The bridges not repaired so far are the most inaccessible, and a helicopter may have to be used to bring the building materials in."

Work is due to start soon on Chapel Bridge and Shaken Bridge, in Hawnby.

Many affected public rights of way have been cleared and are open to walkers again.

But work to clear the remaining rights of way is expected to take another 12 months.

Meanwhile, an idea to build a second bridge over Cod Beck to protect a listed bridge has been quashed.

Blakey Bridge has undergone £30,000 of repairs over the past 15 years to damage caused by vehicles.

The Blakey Lane bridge has been shut for more than a month after the latest accident damaged one of its walls.

North Yorkshire County Council is looking into a permanent solution.

One idea was to build a second bridge for heavy vehicles, but the county council said it would not want heavy lorries to be able to drive into Sowerby.