WORK has started on the demolition of Eastham Bridge.

Large sections of the bridge that suddenly and dramatically collapsed in May are also being removed.

All of the material is being take to Tenbury where it will be examined by experts to try to determine why the 220 year old grade II listed bridge collapsed.

The demolition of what remains of Eastham Bridge is the first stage of a process that will result in the construction of a temporary replacement bridge.

However, this is expected to take up to six months leaving locals to face a 10 mile diversion using narrow country lanes until Christmas at the earliest.

No decision is likely to be made for many months about whether the old Eastham Bridge will be rebuilt.

Talks will be taking place with Historic England and with the Environment Agency because the stretch of the River Teme involved is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Residents in Eastham and surrounding areas are demanding answers as to why the bridge that had no weight limit and was inspected last December suddenly collapsed on a calm spring afternoon.