THE first image of a replacement for a Grade II listed Worcestershire bridge which shockingly collapsed have been revealed.

This artist's impression, released by Worcestershire County Council, show how it expects the new-look Eastham Bridge to look.

It will be open by April next year, with frustrated residents having to use a 10-mile detour to cross the River Teme in the meantime.

The release of the image comes as bosses reveal how some tentative work has started on the site, including a clearance operation and an enclosure being set up for contractors.

Cllr Marcus Hart, cabinet member for highways, said: "We're aware of the importance of this bridge on the lives and livelihoods of people in the area.

"By releasing this artist's impression of how the new bridge could look, I hope residents will be reassured about our commitment to replacing the bridge and bringing normality back to Eastham.

"As you can see the new bridge isn't a like-for-like replacement for the old, listed bridge but it does include some of the original elements of the old one.

"Most importantly it will get people moving across the river as quickly as possible, and remove the need for the detour."

Back in May the old 18th century structure crumbled into the river right in front of a school bus with 11 children on board, with the brave actions of their driver narrowly averting disaster.

An investigation later found the fast-moving water had slowly eroded its piers, with some locals blaming lorry drivers for ignoring weight restrictions at the site, in Tenbury.

Bosses at County Hall have long ruled out erecting a temporary bridge in its place, saying due to the area being classed a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' it would have taken months to get full planning permission.

People have been warned to expect disruption over the coming months.

Cllr Hart added: "Even though work has started and people can see what the new bridge might look like, we hope they will understand there is still a lot of work to do.

"Over the next few months we'll be bringing large pieces of equipment onto the site and we ask people for their continued patience while it is being done.

"With any project of this nature we often have to deal with unknown challenges, not to mention the British weather."