A county council is set to take on English Heritage in a battle to widen a flood-damaged 18th Century bridge, which has been shut down for 15 months.

North Yorkshire County Council has been trying to persuade English Heritage to drop its environmental objections to widening Creet's Bridge at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon. But the organisation has refused to budge.

Now Ripon and Skipton MP David Curry has said he will back the council's stance which could force a public inquiry.

Mr Curry has now pledged to take his fight for widening to Heritage Minister Tessa Jowell and Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael.

Mr Curry, who has raised the issue with the council's chief executive, Jeremy Walker, said he was very pleased the council was taking its stance over the bridge.

Flood damage to it 15 months ago had given an opportunity for modernisation to cope with increased traffic and heavy vehicles.

"I realise that the council's plans to widen it will probably put them on a collision course with English Heritage," he said.

While he appreciated English Heritage's statutory responsibilities, the priority was improving the bridge.

Mr Curry has had many representations on behalf of residents and businesses and said he was "terribly sensitive" to the shut down the foot-and-mouth crisis had on the area and how important it was get businesses back on their feet as soon as possible.

County Councillor John Fort, cabinet member for highways, confirmed that persusaion time for English Heritage had run out. He expects the executive to agree to challenge the English Heritage decision and fight the issue at a public inquiry if necessary.

The decision to widen has been backed by a public meeting, Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council, County Councillor Paul Richardson, who represents the area at County Hall, an area meeting of North Yorkshire county councillors, and local businesses.

Coun Richardson, who represents Kirkby on the county council, and a keen supporter of widening, said: "English Heritage are guardians of the past. North Yorkshire County Council are custodians of the present and shapers of the future."

Mr O'Keefe, along with John Elwell, John Bowen and Neil Fraser are members of an action group established on behalf of the parish council to press for widening.

Members of the group say their patience has worn thin. They claim English Heritage is being stubborn, forcing the issue to drag on too long.

However, English Heritage insisted that the structure must be rebuilt and restored in its narrow form because it is a Grade II listed structure.

When North Yorkshire puts forward plans to widen the bridge English Heritage's objections are expected to spark a public inquiry.

Costings for the options are: demolishing and rebuilding to original width £405,000; demolishing and rebuilding wider £440,000; repairing £472,000.