A “much-used” Aberdeenshire footbridge damaged in severe flooding almost five years ago has been replaced.
The Meiklemill crossing spans the River Ythan and links Gordon Park to Meiklemill Primary School in Ellon.
The wooden bridge was severely damaged in Storm Frank floods in January 2016.
Since then, locals have fought to encourage the council to find funds to replace it.
Last year, the Formartine area committee agreed to £40,000 worth of funding for a new link.
The weary bridge has now been completely dismantlement and replaced with a brand new model.
A team of workers and a very large crane helped to gradually lower the structure, bit by bit, into place.
Local councillor Gillian Owen said she was “delighted” to see the work steam ahead this week having feared the project might become a “casualty” of the coronavirus pandemic.
She added: “It certainly is a long time coming, this bridge has been part of the community for years.
“It was very windy but there are plenty hands on deck and one hell of a crane. They’ve managed to put the new bridge in in three parts and connected them together.
“There is a sense of achievement for myself, but also the wider community. We knew there was a limited lifespan for the bridge and money needed to be spent to replace it.”