THE only remaining bridge on a historic 19th century rail line is being filled in as part of a flood defence scheme.

And a time capsule has been planted by the local historical society inside the arch of the bridge, at the top of Norton Avenue, in Stockton.

The bridge formed part of the old Fussick railway line, built in 1833 by a local entrepreneur to transport coal to Teesside from the South Durham coalfields.

However, following periodic flooding on the Norton ringroad, contractors have been called in to fill in the historic bridge.

Bulldozers are being used to fill in the arch of the bridge with stone boulders and sand.

The arch will eventually be sealed over with concrete, to ensure that rain water is diverted away from the Ring Road and hopefully put an end to years of sporadic flooding.

Bob Harbron, chairman of Norton Heritage, has helped compile a time capsule containing a 400-page document, which includes the history of the bridge and the local area.

Mr Harbron, 77, from Norton, said: "The bridge is an important part of the heritage of the area. The rail line was once a significant transport route, but the arrival of improved port facilities on the Tees, at West Hartlepool, meant it fell out of use."

Mr Harbron said that during the Second World War, the bridge was almost destroyed when a German bomb fell 60 feet away, killing seven local people.

He said: "It's important we keep a record of all that has happened here."