Suffolk Magpie pub sign damage closes A140

The Magpie sign at Little Stonham straddles the A140, which is the main route between Ipswich and Norwich

A landmark pub sign which straddles a main road has been damaged, causing the route to be closed.

The Grade II listed Magpie sign over the A140 at Little Stonham in Suffolk, which is more than a century old, was struck by a vehicle on Tuesday.

Suffolk County Council said the road had been closed between the Earl Stonham junction and the Mickfield junction so repairs could take place.

Drivers were asked to use alternative routes.

The metal sign, which gained listed status in 1987, sits on a wooden gantry crossing the road in front of the pub.

It is thought to originate from the 17th or 18th Century, but was largely renewed in the 20th Century and is a well-known landmark for people travelling on the main road between Ipswich and Norwich.

Its entry on the Historic England listings website says it is "traditionally believed to have originally been used as a gibbet for hanging highwaymen".

A crane has been brought in to help carry out repairs

Mid Suffolk District Council said it planned to remove the top crossbar of the sign as quickly as possible and get the road open

Experts from Mid Suffolk District Council were working with the pub owners to decide what would happen to the sign and a crane has been brought in to help with repairs.

A spokesman said: "For everyone's safety, a temporary road closure has had to be put in place while work is carried out to make the structure safe.

"This will not only remove the danger posed to drivers by the damaged structure, but will also allow for repairs to be carried out which are sympathetic to the sign's character and history."

The district council said it was working to "safely reopen the road later" on Wednesday.

Pub landlady Vaida Lapene said they "definitely" want the sign re-erected once it is made safe

Pub landlady Vaida Lapene said it was one of just a handful of pub signs of its type in the UK.

"It's very important for this pub... [we want it] put back, definitely," she said.

The sign was struck by a vehicle on Tuesday, causing a crack in one of its upright posts