Tarr Steps: Part of ancient Somerset footbridge washes away

A section of the Tarr Steps has washed away following heavy rain

A section of an ancient footbridge has washed away following heavy rain.

Slabs from the middle of the Tarr Steps on Exmoor, near Withypool, washed downstream during recent flooding in Somerset.

The structure is an ancient "clapper bridge" over the River Barle - slabs arranged over stacks of stones without using mortar or cement.

Somerset County Council said it would visit the site to "form a plan of action".

Damage to the 50m (164ft) Grade I-listed bridge due to flooding is not unusual.

The steps were damaged in 2017 and last washed away in 2016, and prior to that in 2012.

Repair works after the 2012 incident cost £10,000.

The Tarr Farm Inn, which overlooks the steps, said in a Facebook post: "The recent rainfall and flooding has taken its toll on the famous Tarr Steps…

"The middle section has completely gone.

"Hopefully it won't be too long before the stones are put back, but please note this could take a while."

'Much beloved'

The Tarr Steps are believed to date back to the medieval period, although some historians believe there has been a structure in the spot as far back as the Bronze Age.

A Somerset County Council spokesman said: "Unfortunately, bad weather has damaged the much-beloved steps many times over the years - most recently in 2017 following Storm Angus.

"We will be attending the Grade I listed site shortly to assess the extent of the damage, which will in turn allow us to form a plan of action."