A TOWN cut in half by the festive season floods has finally been re-united again.

The east and west sides of Tadcaster in North Yorkshire were reconnected with the opening of a temporary footbridge across the River Wharfe.

The main bridge had to be closed after its partial collapse due to the force of flood water after heavy rains over the Christmas period.

Repairs to the bridge are expected to take 12 months so the temporary foot crossing with the help of £300,000 of Government cash.

Contractors worked seven days a week for 12 hours a day to complete the bridge as quickly as possible. The metal structure was assembled in sections on site and then pushed across the river.

The bridge was opened officially by local MP Nigel Adams from the west side and Cllr David Jeffels, chair of North Yorkshire County Council, from the east.

They were the first on to the bridge, accompanied by mother and daughter Babs and Chrissie Wilson, who were separated when the bridge collapsed. Chrissie, a student nurse, lives on the east side, and Babs lives on the west.

Chrissie’s home was flooded on Boxing Day and it was while she was walking to her mother’s house to stay over that the bridge collapsed.