VILLAGERS are calling for new weight restrictions through their village because lorries have damaged an ancient bridge.

A crack appeared in the narrow bridge over the River Ock at Charney Bassett, near Wantage, after truckers' satellite navigation systems directed them through the village as the shortest route. Parish clerk Peter Davies said a driver stopped to ask directions to Hatford, having travelled through Marcham, Lyford and Garford, via the narrow bridge at Lyford.

He said: "The driver was Polish, with limited English, who admitted he was following his satellite navigation system. I believe this must have been set to the shortest and not the quickest route as he was travelling in a roughly straight line, avoiding the A-roads he should have been confined to.

"I gave him directions to Hatford but I was concerned he would have had further difficulties between Charney and Gainfield."

Villagers fear the bridge, originally built for horses and carts, could be damaged even more if heavy vehicles continue to use it.

In another incident a lorry coming from Wantage failed to negotiate the turning after crossing the bridge. It caused minor damage to ancient railings around Ock Green and left a track nearly a foot deep in the grass verge.

Pete Ronald, area traffic engineer at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "In situations where traffic flow is causing actual structural damage or where there is a history of accidents resulting in personal injury, a weight restriction is one measure that can be considered."

He said the county council was unable to bring about changes to routes mapped by satellite navigation technology. A bridge engineer is expected to examine the crack in the next few weeks.