The National Trust has bowed to pressure to replace a bridge on coastal marshes, after previously saying it could harm wildlife.

The decision to build the new crossing over a creek at Stiffkey has been welcomed by locals, who say that without one walkers are at risk of being cut off by rising tides.

This is the second time the Trust has agreed to do the work, having initially pledged to do so last summer after the previous bridge was removed because it was structurally unsafe.

However, no work was carried out and the organisation later said it was reconsidering the decision, citing the project's £250,000 cost and warning that the bridge could attract more visitors to the area, and thus harm wildlife.

This triggered a local campaign, supported by North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, calling for a new bridge.

A spokesman for the Trust this week confirmed the replacement would be built "with the caveat that we still need to secure planning permission and explore funding options".

He added: “We can’t give a timescale at this stage as to when the new bridge will be in place, or what the design will look like.

"We know that it’s not a quick fix as the bridge will need to be engineered to withstand coastal forces."

Mr Baker said he was "delighted" with the annoucement, calling it "absolutely the right decision".

North Norfolk News: Duncan BakerDuncan Baker (Image: Archant)

The move has also been welcomed by campaigners, with a group called Rebuild the Stiffkey Marsh Bridge having gathered more than 100 members.

Ian Curtis, a member, said it was welcome news and that the group would be keeping an eye on the progress of the replacement.

Signage currently remains in place to remind visitors that the bridge is no longer there.