WORK began on Monday on a major Network Rail project to spruce up Longpool bridge in Kendal.

The 170-year-old bridge is being cleaned up in a £400,000 scheme due to be completed in April.

It will see the structure grit-blasted and repainted alongside steelwork repairs and pigeon proofing.

Rail services between Oxenholme and Windermere will not be affected during the project but a partial road closure of Longpool has been agreed – with traffic underneath the bridge will be restricted to a single lane controlled by traffic lights.