Town councillors in Keswick have backed a call for a flood-damaged bridge to be pulled down to help protect homes from further damage.

Michael Stubbs, a homeowner at The Forge, off Penrith Road, is calling for Forge Bridge, which has been closed since it was severely damaged in December, to be replaced with a bridge that will not act as a dam during floods.

Alternatively he would like to see it scrapped entirely as the only householder the bridge is intended to serve has alternative vehicle access.

Mr Stubbs, whose home was flooded in December, said: "In flood conditions this bridge acts as a partial dam to the river flow.

"We noted a difference in depth of approximately five to eight metres between the upstream and downstream sides of the bridge during Storm Desmond.

"We object in the strongest possible terms to the reinstatement of the bridge to its original design when the damage that it has suffered, and continues to suffer, offers an ideal opportunity to now remove this serious restriction to the flow of the river.

"The reinstatement of one listed structure, the bridge, to the detriment of the buildings at the Forge, at least five of them listed buildings, 14 of them homes, two businesses and the risk and disruption to life if not acceptable."

He has written to the Environment Agency, English Heritage, landowner Jack Spedding, the Lake District National Park Authority, Keswick Flood Action Group, Defra and Keswick's MP Jamie Reed about the issue.

He is calling for the bridge's listed structure stated to be removed to allow the change.

Town councillors agreed to write endorsing his concerns.

Councillor Andrew Lysser said: "To spend a phenomenal amount of money to put a structure in again when it serves no purpose doesn't seem logical."

Coun Adam Paxon added: "I have heard far too much talk about Greta Bridge and thngs downstream.

"We need a lot more work upstream. We need to throttle the water and slow it down."

An agent for Mr Spedding said: "Forge Bridge, a listed structure, was extensively damaged during Storm Desmond in December 2015.

"Over the past eight months the owner of the bridge has worked with a number of professional advisers to produce a schedule of work to repair the bridge."