GREAT Ayton councillors were incensed when they heard a reply to their concerns about the footbridge at Low Green.

The county highways department had judged it was not dangerous and said repairs did not have a high priority.

Councillors took the view that anyone looking at the bridge could see there was a rail missing and that it was in a general state of disrepair which constituted a danger to all users, particularly children who daily crossed it on their way to school.

They also felt the department's comment that other bridges had priority, such as the road bridge at Richmond, was pathetic, since that bridge was made of stone and this was of wood.

The parish council decided unanimously to send a photograph and ask to be allowed to arrange for a joiner to carry out repairs and bill the county council for the work