RESIDENTS have reacted angrily after thieves stole part of a bridge.

Around a dozen large stone blocks disappeared overnight from one side of the bridge, where Boarshaw Lane crosses the Rochdale Canal.

The theft comes only a year after stones were stolen from the other side of the bridge.

Anne Robinson, of Hereford Way, said: "I heard a noise in the night, it sounded like a motor running, but I thought it was just the Tesco warehouse. The next morning, one side of the bridge had gone."

The missing part of the bridge has since been replaced by a wooden fence.

Mrs Robinson said: "It's an eyesore and it's not safe at all. It's a mess. I used to take my grandchildren across there to feed the ducks, but I can't do it now, they could easily fall in. It used to be so nice. Someone's got a lot of stone somewhere."

Trevor Robertshaw, of Boarshaw Lane, said: "Someone's been and they've lifted it straight off. It looks a right mess. Those stones must have been worth thousands of pounds.  The first half went last year. It was pushed over by teenagers and a few days later a big truck turned up and took all the stone away. We all assumed it was the council, but they said they didn't know anything about it. I don't know who they were.  It's an eyesore and it needs sorting out."