VISITORS to a National Trust property this spring will be among the first to use a new bridge connecting the historic hall to its car parks.

The bridge, which has been a year in the planning, was hoisted into place at Nunnington Hall, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, yesterday.

It replaces a small, wooden footbridge that has spanned the River Rye since the Eighties.

The single-span bridge was designed by Alan Wood and Partners, from York, and has been constructed by Simpsons (York) Ltd, in Dunnington.

Annabelle Coaten, of Nunnington Hall, said: “The bridge looks fantastic and offers real improvements over the old wooden footbridge. I am sure its benefits are going to be welcomed by our visitors.”

Nunnington Hall re-opens to visitors on February 27.