CAMPAIGNERS are threatening to go to the High Court in an attempt to bring a long-running dispute over a flood-damaged bridge to an end.

Creet's Bridge, which crosses Kex Beck at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, was partly washed away in freak floods two-and-a-half years ago.

The damage was so extensive that the 18th Century crossing had to be closed and a temporary structure was built nearby.

The old bridge was 10ft wide but local campaigners want it rebuilt to a width of 17ft - a view shared by the parish, borough and county councils as well as local Tory MP David Curry.

But the old bridge was Grade II-listed and English Heritage has objected to any plans for it being widened.

After being "called in" by the Regional Government Office, in Leeds, the issue is now being studied by Planning Minister Tony McNulty, at Westminster.

But campaigners claim the patience of locals has finally snapped after their long wait for action.

Parish Councillor Ernie O'Keefe said that if the minister backed the view that the bridge should be rebuilt to the same width, campaigners were prepared to consider applying for a High Court injunction to prevent work going ahead.

Coun O'Keefe, who has spearheaded the campaign for a wider bridge, is a member of a three-strong sub-committee set up by the parish council to deal with the issue.

Mr Curry has also spoken to the minister about the issue and said he plans to "keep on pestering" him about the bridge because local people had suffered delays for long enough.

The MP said: "We need to get business back to normal in Kirkby Malzeard. This matter has just gone on far too long.

"What we need now is an old bridge rebuilding for the 21st Century."

Coun O'Keefe has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair and even asked American President George Bush to intervene in a bid to highlight the community's plight.

"Every time I go out people are asking what's happening about the bridge. The length of time it is taking for a final decision is ridiculous," he said.