A SIMPLE wooden bridge just over a mile from the crash site has become a focal point for grief following Saturday's airshow disaster.

Just as with the gates of Kensington Palace following the death of Princess Diana and Ground Zero after 9/11, Shoreham Tollbridge will now be forever connected to the terrible tragedy in which 11 people are thought to have died.

The community has descended on the crossing over the last few days with members of the Samaritans on hand to comfort and support them.

Thousands of bouquets have been tied to the northern railings of the bridge with it now resembling a wall of flowers.

The 1780s tollbridge is the last of its kind in Britain but this week it has taken on a new meaning as a shrine to the Shoreham air crash.

The simple wooden structure now has a wall of flowers stretching along its northern side.

Only a few hundred yards away, the view looks towards what used to be the busy A27.

Now the road on the horizon lies still with a row of abandoned cars and police vehicles.

A steady stream of mourners has been visiting the site. At times, there have been more than 60 people standing on the rickety wooden structure.

A trail of people can be seen heading out of the town centre, bouquets clutched in their hands.

From the east bank of the River Adur, a stripe of rainbow colours now adorns the formerly weathered brown bridge.

A St George’s flag scrawled with the words "RIP from the Timms bros" flutters in the breeze. Then a wall of sunflowers, roses, lillies and carnations flank the whole of the bridge.

A red Worthing FC scarf is tied to a post.

A small child has drawn a picture of two angels.

“Our hearts are broken,” says one card.

“What a terrible tragedy to strike our county.”

This sentiment is echoed in every floral tribute and in the hearts of those visiting the bridge to pay their respects.

“It is quite beautiful”, says one mother who is there with her two children.

Two sisters hunt for the perfect spot to leave their pink carnations.

A minute or two later they try to find them again – lost in the sea of petals.

A heart-shaped balloon hangs from a green goalie’s jersey bearing the name Matt Grimstone.

Wedding photographs thank Maurice Abrahams for making so many happy couples’ perfect days.

A small blond teddy bear sits in a bed of sunflowers.

On top of a signed Seagulls shirt lies a blue and white wreath.

“Together we stand, together we fall, forever united,” it reads.

“Gone far too soon, but never forgotten. All our thoughts and prayers are with you at this tragic time. BHAWFC.”

A smartly dressed pensioner in a trilby walks solemnly along the bridge alone. He sighs as he stoops down on to his knees to straighten a bunch of roses.

Carly Wise, 49, of Shoreham, said: “The whole town is in absolute shock. We just don’t know what to do and this just seemed like the natural thing to do.

“People have just been gravitating here to let it all out.”

Another visitor remarks: “Each petal represents a person grieving and praying.”

A red-eyed family hug each other halfway down the bridge. They look at the ocean of tributes left to their lost loved one. They can barely speak and clutch each other's hands as they take in the sight before leaving again.

Shirley Paver, 62, broke down in tears as she read the tributes. “It’s difficult; it’s something that’s just hit the whole community,” she said. “You see these things happen on the TV and radio, it’s almost like you’re part of it. It’s extremely upsetting. I knew I’d cry, I brought a tissue.”

Pointing to the A27, she said: “It could have been any of us. Everyone seems to know somebody who was two cars ahead.”

Emma Watkins, 41, was with daughter Harriet. “We had been swimming and could have been on that road,” she said. “We wanted to show people are thinking of those who have sadly lost their lives. People are just really shocked and can’t believe something so awful has happened on the road. The airshow is a great event, it’s so sad. There’s a real sense of people saying we feel we should offer support and do whatever we can.”

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, Sussex Police Chief constable Giles York and families of several of the victims visited to pay their respects.