ELY S ambitious milk bottle bridge project has been so successful that the organisers are drowning in four pinters. Today (Thursday) they have called a halt to the collection of milk bottles with just five rafts left to build and enough bottles to finish

ELY'S ambitious milk bottle bridge project has been so successful that the organisers are drowning in four pinters.

Today (Thursday) they have called a halt to the collection of milk bottles with just five rafts left to build and enough bottles to finish the bridge.

Organiser Jack Waterfall said: "The response has been fantastic. The project has really fired the imagination of the public and we have reached our target.

"In fact, I think we will end up with enough milk bottles to build a bridge across the Atlantic from Cornwall to New York!

"I can't thank everyone enough for collecting their empties and helping to make this project such a success."

The bridge, made from 14,100 milk bottles, will span Ely's River Ouse and measure 36 metres long by 4.2 metres wide.

Fifteen rafts which will form three quarters of the bridge have already been built and there are just another five to complete with 2,000 bottles already collected.

Jack and fellow organiser, East Cambridgeshire District Councillor, Ian Allen, hope the bridge will set a world record and raise awareness of how much plastic the area is sending to landfill every day.

The bridge will span the river for the third annual Classic Regatta on June 23 and after the event will be stored to be used as a pontoon for trainee rowers.

Jack and Ian have also appealed for donations of materials to help complete the project. They need 30 sheets of 18mm thick sterling board and 40 metres of one metre wide red carpet.

Anyone who can help with the project should contact Jack on 07767795895.