CAMPAIGNERS have won a battle to widen a bridge damaged by floods more than 18 months ago.

North Yorkshire County Council has voted to widen Creet's Bridge, at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, which has been closed since it was partially washed away. Councillor Ernie O'Keefe, campaign leader and a member of Kirkby Parish Council, said he was elated that councillors had backed the scheme. He said the fight for a wider bridge had been started two years ago - before the floods.

HISTORY TALK: Professor Derek Keene will lecture on metropolitan history and the regions, in room 140, Elvet Riverside, Durham University, today at 6pm. It will be of interest to people concerned with the debate on regional assemblies, and places are free to history postgraduates of North-East universities and members of the North-East England History Group. Entrance is £3 for others. To register for a place, ring 0191-374 2004.