An important pedestrian bridge destroyed during Storm Desmond, is finally due to be reinstated.

Knightsbridge, Keswick's Fitz Park, was washed away in December 2015 during the devastating floods which crippled the county.

The loss of the bridge cut the town in two and caused a lengthy detour for pedestrians into the town centre.

What Keswick councillors have described as an “unprecedented donation of £20,000” from Keswick Lions Club has ensured that a ramp can be provided at the new bridge to assist access.

Town councillor and chairman of Fitz Park Trust, Adam Paxon, said: “I am delighted that the new bridge is ready for installation and look forward to seeing this important pedestrian link from the park into town restored.

"Thanks to the generosity of Keswick Lions Club, additional funding has been possible to provide a ramp to enable better access to the raised height bridge and the Park Trust is very grateful for this support.”

The new bridge, set to be installed, next week, has been built by MPM North West, and is the first time the company has ever undertaken such a venture.

Michael John Hawkins, from the company, explained: “We have put a lot of bridges in place, but never completely built one before.

"We can do it now because we have recently attained a level three CE1090 accreditation - that is a structural steel British standard mark."

The bridge is 21 metres long and weighs 12.1 tonnes.

It will be lifted into place on Thursday by massive 220 tonne crane from Lawsons Haulage of Cockermouth.

Keeping it Cumbrian, the bridge was painted by JE Foster and Son of Longtown.

It will stand at a greater height above the river than the old bridge, to increase flood resilience and protect from future damage.

It is expected that the bridge will be in use by the end of July.

The bridge was one of hundreds damaged or destroyed during the winter storms, which left many communities split up.

While the majority of the county has returned to normal - Keswick's Pencil Museum was officially reopened by children's television star John Craven last week - there are still hundreds of people who have been unable to return home, and many roads and businesses yet to reopen.