A 319-YEAR-OLD listed monument at the heart of a community has been severely damaged by a lorry.

The Cross, which sits at the junctions of Cross Street, Sykes Lane and Wyke Lane in Oakenshaw, has suffered serious damage after a collision involving a HGV.

Part of the bottom of the structure has completely come away from body of the monument.

It is believed a large lorry caused the damage while trying to navigate the road and police closed Cross Street earlier today.

Several residents said they heard a loud bang this morning, with one woman saying the crash happened at around 9.30am.

The stone monument was first erected in 1703, according to a local resident, but other sources, such as Bradford Museums & Galleries states the structure was built in 1702.

One thing that is certain, is the monument is Grade II listed.

Historic England's website describes it as: "Market cross, probably late C.18.

"Slender stone column, with four engaged colonnettes, on four-step circular podium.

"The column is surmounted by an elaborate finial, the square base of which has a sundial to each face.

"Important village centre site."

The incident has caused outrage within the community and on a Facebook group for the village.

Councillor Andrew Pinnock (Cleckheaton, Lib Dem) had not heard about the issue, but describe it as tragic, if The Cross had been damaged.

He spoke to the T&A about the monument's history and the make-up of the surrounding area.

He said: "It's an ancient monument and listed structure.

"One might well ask what a lorry was doing going up there anyway, any lorry frankly.

"The difficulty with that road has always been that Wyke Lane is narrow.

"If you're coming down the hill, you have to go the wrong way round, in particular if it's an articulated lorry."

The T&A has contacted West Yorkshire Police for comment.