WORK will start on a bridge this week to allow the 7.5 tonnes weight limit to be removed.

Little Ayton Bridge, which carries Cross Lane over the River Leven in Little Ayton, near Stokesley, will be refurbished.

The arched lattice girders, which give the bridge its striking appearance, will be preserved.

They will not carry any future traffic, but will form an attractive parapet and ensure that the overall appearance hardly changes.

Whitby company Wilf Noble Construction Limited is carrying out the work and the bridge will have to be closed for about ten weeks, starting on Wednesday.

A temporary bridge will be installed for pedestrians and diversions will be in place.