PLANS to repair an ancient bridge in the New Forest could put children at risk, it is claimed.

Youngsters in Woodgreen face a long walk to school after bus services were suspended following the closure of Breamore Great Bridge.

A £180,000 repair project is due to start this week and is likely to take up to four months to complete.

The bridge, which spans the River Avon, was closed last week, forcing through traffic to find an alternative route via Downton or Fordingbridge.

Children can use a temporary footbridge over the river to reach the local school.

But district councillor Nick Locock claims this is unsafe because youngsters will have to dodge traffic on busy roads in the Downton area.

"The closure will cause major disruption and could also put children at risk," said Cllr Locock.

"Hampshire County Council should make sure children get to school safely by providing buses for youngsters who will have difficulty getting to classes.

"The buses would have to take them to school the long way."

The bridge - a Grade Two structure built in the Victorian era - will be dismantled to enable experts to replace the underlying decking.

A county council spokeswoman said some of the work would be done during the school holidays.

She added: "There's a temporary footbridge in place which has been deemed a safe walking route to school when pupils return in September.

"We have made the school aware of this position, and the county council's education department has also been informed."

The spokeswoman also insisted that motorists would have to abide by the diversions.

She added: "We've liaised with residents in the area and have kept them fully up to date on all developments relating to the repairs."