OARSMEN from across Britain are pulling together to help Bradford Amateur Rowing Club pay £85,000 of repairs to a weir on the River Aire which was wrecked by recent floods.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Work starts rebuilding of Hirst Weir downstream of Bradford Amateur Rowing Club

Work starts rebuilding of Hirst Weir downstream of Bradford Amateur Rowing Club

Work is already under way with a crane placing 5,000 tonnes of sandstone bocks on damaged sections of Hirst Weir and due to last some three weeks said BARC president Dr Celia Hickson.

"It's all going really well - the conditions are with us and the river gods are finally on our side," she said.

"The size of the job and the precision of the operatives in placing the stone is just amazing.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Work starts rebuilding of Hirst Weir downstream of Bradford Amateur Rowing Club

A digger is used to help rebuild the damaged weir

"It's due to take 15 working days and the issue of installing a fish pass is now a moot point.

"We have permission to carry out a repair, but installing a fish pass would be classed as an improvement and we don't have permission for that.

"Basically it would mean having a lower level of stone at the top and then pools in the armour of the weir.

"It's something we will have to revisit.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Work starts rebuilding of Hirst Weir downstream of Bradford Amateur Rowing Club

The force of the flood waters caused huge damage

"We have had loads of surprise donations from places such as Durham Amateur Rowing Club and Doncaster Rowing Club, plus generous benefactors who've said: "I learned to row there" and then sent £500.

"Everyone's pulling together which is very heartening and we are most grateful."