PARTS of a Chinese-style bridge left to rot and decay in the 19th century have been found at a National Trust parkland.

The Chinese bridge, which once spanned the river and linked the parkland to Croome Court, near Pershore, is thought to have been in ruin only 100 years after it was built in the 1740s.

The parts have helped inform the design of the bridge for its recreation next year, with the dimensions provided by some original drawings.

Katherine Alker, garden and park manager, said: “The lost Chinese bridge is one of the few missing pieces of the parkland at Croome.

“It would have been an incredible sight in the landscape as it was so bright and large.

“We were really delighted but very surprised to find pieces of the original bridge in the river when it was dredged recently as we had dredged the same spot twice in 2006 and in 2003.”

Surveyors have already assessed the area and Croome has received a donation to recreate the grand white wooden bridge from the Monument 85 Fund, a trust set up by the late Simon Sainsbury to fund restoration work in National Trust parkland.

It is hoped the work will begin in late spring and visitors will be able to see it being carried out. Croome is open from 10am to 5.30pm every day and Croome Court is open from 11am to 4.30pm but closed on Tuesdays.