A historic bridge restored to its former glory has been given the royal seal of approval.

The Duke of York flew in to Sussex yesterday to officially reopen the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge.

Hundreds of people gathered at the bridge – built in 1781 to link Shoreham to Lancing – to welcome the duke.

It has been restored after more than £500,000 was raised to save it from collapsing into the River Adur.

The Old Shoreham Tollbridge Community Trust was set up in 2001 to help raise the money and has since organised numerous fundraising events.

Trust chairman Liza McKinney said: “It has been extremely tough to raise the money we needed to restore the bridge but all the effort has been worth it.

“If you raise money for a hospice or children’s charity you have a big audience, but trying to raise money for an old bridge was an enormous challenge.

“Our heartfelt thanks go to all who helped. We are welcoming Prince Andrew today and we are honoured to have a member of the Royal Family here to open our historic bridge.”

The bridge had been closed for six months while work was carried out to preserve the Grade II listed structure for the next 30 years.

Ted Axford, 85, who lives in Portslade, cycled to the opening ceremony.

He said: “I used to cycle over this bridge when it was part of the A27 before the bypass was built.

“I thought they would leave it and it would be lost to the river so it’s lovely to see it restored like this. They really have done a marvellous job.”

Before the bridge was built more than 200 years ago, people and animals were pulled from one side of the estuary to the other on a raft.

It was used by trains on the South Coast Railway and buses when it was part of the A27 and is now reserved for pedestrians, cyclists and horses.

As he unveiled a commemorative plaque on the bridge, the duke said: “This bridge has been a thoroughfare for centuries and it is wonderful that it is back in operation.

“I congratulate all involved on a wonderful achievement.”

The ceremony was part of Prince Andrew’s tour of West Sussex yesterday when he also opened Shoreham Port’s new £2 million headquarters.