ONE of County Durham's oldest bridges will reopen this week after a £100,000 overhaul.

Local MP Derek Foster will cut the ribbon to open Whorlton Bridge, near Barnard Castle, on Friday.

The ceremony will also provide a direct link with the bridge's original opening 172 years ago.

Lorna Headlam-Morley, whose late husband was the great-grandson of Archdeacon Headlam, whose daughter laid the foundation stone of the bridge on June 9, 1829, will unveil an information board outlining its history.

Julia Cowley, of Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, who is a descendant of Mrs Beadle, one of the toll keepers at Bridge House, will unveil a replica notice board outlining the toll charges levied on different categories of transport.

A horse and carriage containing Coun Foster and Mrs Cowley will lead a procession of villagers and children to the bridge from the village green.

Everyone will pay the one penny toll levied on users during the first opening ceremony on July 7, 1831.

The bridge, the oldest wrought iron chain link suspension bridge in the country, has been renovated by Durham County Council, whose staff replaced timber decking and painted the iron suspension chains.