A SOUTH Lakeland footbridge washed away by Storm Desmond has re-opened.

Lupton Ford footbridge, which is close to the A65 near Kirkby Lonsdale, has been replaced by Cumbria County Council contractors.

Due to natural widening in the beck, the county council has extended the length of the replacement footbridge from eight metres to 15 metres. The new deck remains a single span.

The new footbridge is welcomed by local walkers and the community as it provides access between Farleton and Lupton, as well access up onto Farleton Fell.

It forms part of the county council’s Infrastructure Recovery Programme, which consists of approximately 1,200 individual projects delivered over a four-year period.