BUSINESS owners affected by the closure of a flood-damaged bridge are appealing for financial support from local authorities and the Government.

The appeal is the latest stage in Richmond Business and Tourism Association's campaign to raise awareness of the financial damage caused by the closure of Mercury Bridge.

The 19th Century landmark, one of the main routes over the River Swale, collapsed under the force of last month's flooding.

County council officials say repair work is unlikely to be finished before December, and traders in Richmond say they are becoming increasingly concerned about the coming months.

Business leaders, councillors at all levels, and county council officials in charge of the repair project met at the weekend to discuss the way ahead for the town.

Chairman of the association, Mike Nicholls, said it was encouraging traders to apply to Richmondshire District Council for rate relief.

His association had also written to Richmond MP William Hague asking whether there were Government funds available to help. The association is looking to set up an advertising committee to promote Richmond across North Yorkshire, and particularly in Catterick Garrison, while the bridge is closed.

Mr Nicholls said North Yorkshire's environmental services director, Mike Moore, told the meeting he was more than 50 per cent confident that one lane could be opened, with traffic lights, by the end of September.

But he said: "The main concern of all the traders is that it still might be too late.

"People will have found other places to go, and even if the bridge was fully reopened they might not come back."

The business association is outlining the latest situation on the Richmond On Line website, at www.richmond.org

The Grade II listed bridge, on the A6136 Richmond to Catterick road, has been closed to motorists and pedestrians since the central parapet collapsed at the beginning of last month.

The county council says the bridge could be partially re-opened within weeks under a schedule of work drawn up by contractors Morrison Construction.