WORK has started in earnest on York's Millennium Bridge - but the opening has been delayed by another month.

In March the Evening Press reported that the 250-ton structure was to be launched across the River Ouse and placed on its foundations in August or September; but this is not now expected to happen until September or October.

The Millennium Bridge Trust says it is looking at opening the bridge to the public at the end of October or beginning of November, to meet its objective of opening during the Millennium year.

The delay has been blamed on the difficulty of choosing a day for the launch when British Waterways will put in place a one-day closure of the river. The contractor has to be confident it can be ready on time and British Waterways requires six weeks' notice. One date already suggested was unsuitable because it clashed with a big event on the river.

Paul Chesmore, trust manager, said: "There has been a movement of a few weeks over these two issues but we're not overly concerned because the general rate of progress is so good."

Meanwhile, the contractor, C Spencer Ltd, is driving piles into the river in preparation to support the bridge structure when it is ready to be welded into place.

Large steel sections of bridge will be arriving piece by piece from Meldan's steel fabrication factory in Humberside over the next few weeks.

And the first two sections of the main bridge decking on the Rowntree Park side of the river are being put in place this week.

The remaining parts, including the stainless steel arches, which have been polished to a mirror finish, will be pieced together on site in three or four weeks time and the completed structure will then be launched over the river.

Mr Chesmore said: "We've had the benefit of seeing these things take shape in the factory which is an incredible experience.

"It's marvellous to think the public will now start to see that this is quite a big bridge and these are very large pieces of construction built to a high quality.

"It's very exciting for everybody," he said.

PICTURE: ON WAY: The approach sections for York's Millennium Bridge are put into place on the south bank of the Ouse Picture: Garry Atkinson