Piece by piece rebuild of 193-year-old bridge

Wholton Bridge is classed as a scheduled ancient monument by Historic England

A 193-year-old bridge is to be taken apart, restored and reassembled "piece by piece".

Durham County Council said Whorlton Bridge would be dismantled so its components could be inspected before being put back together.

The bridge near Barnard Castle has been classed as a scheduled ancient monument by Historic England.

Councillor John Shuttleworth said it was "only right we treat the bridge with the respect it deserves".

"We are delighted to be in a position to begin the complex process of removing the 1,800 components on the bridge and ensuring as much of the structure as is physically possible can be retained and given a new lease of life," he said.

Each component will be recorded by workers before being inspected.

The parts will then be shotblasted - a process of cleaning or stripping - before being tested and repainted.

(L-R) Lee Jackson, project manager at VolkerLaser, with John Shuttleworth and Alan Patrickson from Durham County Council

The council said the parts will be returned to their original position and as much of the original materials will be reused as possible.

Samples of the original paintwork are also being used to make sure it retains its existing colour.

The bridge remains closed to all traffic while the work is carried out, with diversions in place.

It is expected to reopen next year.