A FOOTBRIDGE over the River Loddon has officially opened to walkers.

The new bridge, near Potters Lane, Stratfield Turgis, replaces another that fell into disrepair and was closed to the public by Hampshire County Council in October last year.

The new bridge was designed by the Stratfield Saye Estate and paid for by Stratfield Turgis Parish Meeting using a grant of just under £4,000 from Hampshire County Council.

Sheila Campbell, chair of the parish meeting, cut the ribbon on the new footbridge at a short ceremony also attended by Councillor Keith Chapman, executive member for culture, recreation and countryside at the county council.

Simon Boase, a member of the Stratfield Turgis Parish Meeting, told The Gazette: “It’s effectively the nexus of most of the paths in the village, so it’s one of the more popular routes for villagers.

“The bridge is great. It looks very practical and as far as bridges go it fits in with the surroundings. The estate obviously builds a lot of bridges and so this one blends in with them.”