Work begins on weary weir

The weir was built in the 1970s

Work to repair Bath's Pulteney Weir began on Monday.

Extensive research carried out by divers earlier this year found that pounding water had caused some structural damage.

Divers checked how the foundations of Pulteney Bridge were bearing up earlier in the year.

The pictures they sent back from their underwater cameras suggested that the Georgian bridge was holding up better than the 1970s-built Pulteney Weir.

Over time, the force of water pounding over the weir has scoured out a hole on the downstream side.

That has caused damage to the structure in the River Avon which needs to be repaired.

A number of people have drowned after getting caught in the swirling waters of the weir and the repair work will also focus on making it safer.