A DIGGER is doing heroic work in surging water to repair Hirst Weir on the River Aire which was wrecked by the Boxing Day floods.

Bradford Amateur Rowing Club is funding £85,000 of restoration with 2,000 tonnes of sandstone being precisely placed across the river to return it to previous normal levels.

Club president Celia Hickson praised the contractors' efforts.

"They are doing a phenomenal job and have really pulled out all the stops.

it's amazing to watch how carefully they place the stones and then to see the water level rise and re-stabilise the river banks and paths.

"We won't be able to row until the work is done, but hopefully that will be within the next couple of weeks.

"And once it's all complete we'll get all our supporters down to the club and have a big party to celebrate," she said.