A 17th CENTURY packhorse bridge at Little Stainforth has been closed to traffic.

The Grade II listed bridge, spanning the River Ribble, was damaged early last Tuesday morning.

Chris Maudsley, from Knight Stainforth Caravan Park, located 400 metres away, said: "It is a listed bridge and any repairs will involve putting up scaffolding.

"There is a 21-day closure on it at the moment, but I can't see it reopening in the near future."

Pedestrian access has been maintained.

Mr Maudsley, a former Stainforth Parish Council chairman, said the damage had an unexpected benefit.

As access is limited, the number of tourists visiting nearby Stainforth Foss has fallen dramatically and, as a result, there is very little litter, which had been an ongoing problem for many years.

"I would be happy if the road remained closed permanently," said Mr Maudsley. "The idea was considered a few years ago."

The bridge – owned by the National Trust – was built in the 1670s at the behest of Samuel Watson, a renowned local Quaker, who owned nearby Knight Stainforth Hall.

Martin Davies, general manager of the National Trust in the Yorkshire Dales, said the bridge is likely to be closed for three months.

"We are talking to our insurance company," he said. "We will have to repair the bridge in line with its listed status and that will involve using traditional lime mortar. It is a fairly major job."