YORKSHIRE Water has come under

fire for allowing a damaged bridge to stand unrepaired for more than six months.

The bridge, which carries the B6451 up into Washburn and divides the Lindley Wood and Swinsty Reservoirs, has had four coping stones missing since last year.

Now another two have been removed and residents claim the bridge has become a target for vandals.

One man who lives near the reservoir, but who did not wish to be named, said: "Two more stones went in the last month. The others have been missing for more than six.

"At first we thought they had been stolen but then we were out walking the dog and noticed them buried in the muck at the bottom of the reservoir.

"It appears vandals have prised them off and pushed them into the water.

"I'm not sure which bit of Yorkshire Water it was but when I phoned up to report them missing six months ago I was told they were aware and that the stones would be replaced," he said.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said: "We have a plan in place to replace them. They should be replaced in the n ext three weeks.

"We would urge anyone passing who sees anything suspicious in the area to do something.

"These stones are expensive to replace and in such a rural area, it is very visible when they have gone.

"We would ask anyone passing who sees something suspicious to contact their nearest police station as soon as possible," he added.

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