The soldiers who reunited Workington after the devastating 2009 floods are due to visit the town today.

Members of 3 Armoured Engineer Squadron were among 200 soldiers built the temporary Barker Crossing in just 10 days following the natural disaster in November 2009. 

Barker Crossing reconnected the two sides of flood-hit Workington.

The 170ft steel bridge was named after PC Bill Barker, who died when Northside Bridge collapsed on Friday, November 20.

Today, soldiers will meet Allerdale mayor Len Davies and council staff for a tour of the bridge site and to see the permanent road bridge which was built in its place.

Working long hours in wet, winter weather, the soldiers were spurred on by residents with tokens of thanks, including cakes, biscuits and chocolates.

They also received two TVs from Tesco for troops to watch while staying at the Cockermouth Cadet Hall and the Branthwaite Scout hut, the use of spare rooms at a nearby bed and breakfast, 12 tickets to watch Workington Reds and food from Marks & Spencer.

At the time, Sq Sgt Maj Jerry Lafferty, of 3 Armoured Engineers, said: “We couldn’t ask for better hospitality. Someone’s just come up and given us a box of chocolates.

“An old lady who had baked 10 cakes passed them over the fence to us. We have had school kids come up with cakes and another lady brought muffins.

“Everybody’s been offering good wishes."

The soldiers are visiting Cumbria as part of a six-day army challenge which will see them climb Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis and run in relays between them.