AMBITIOUS plans to build a milk bottle bridge across the River Great Ouse are sailing thanks to the Ely Standard. After we revealed exclusively earlier this month that a massive 14,100 milk bottles were needed to span the river in a bid to break a world r

AMBITIOUS plans to build a milk bottle bridge across the River Great Ouse are sailing thanks to the Ely Standard.

After we revealed exclusively earlier this month that a massive 14,100 milk bottles were needed to span the river in a bid to break a world record, help has come pouring in.

In just a matter of weeks, 5,170 bottles have been collected which will allow four sections of the bridge to be built - that's 37 per cent of the total crossing.

Regular collections of bottles are being made from the Ely Standard, Boathouse Restaurant, The Cutter, The Maltings, Peacock's Tearoom, The King's School kitchen, Almonry Restaurant, The Hereward, City of Ely College, Isle of Ely Rowing Club, Ely Sailing Club, Hydro International, the Environment Agency and the Lamb and Flag pub at Welney

The project has also received support for building the bridge sections from St Mary's Primary School, Ely, the Isle of Ely Explorers at Sutton Gault and Witchford's Rackham Primary School.

The Ely Standard will be building its own bridge section during a charity coffee morning between 10am and noon on Thursday, April 12.

As the event is being held in the school Easter holidays, we are inviting youngsters to come along with their parents to the event and help us stitch together our milk bottles to add to the final bridge and raise cash for charity at the same time.

Anyone wishing to donate four pint milk bottles is invited to take them along to the Boat Race Bash at Jubilee Gardens on Saturday, April 7, between noon and 5pm when there is a chance to watch the boat race on big screens and enjoy live music, barbecue and bar.

They will also be collected at the Eel Day in Jubilee Gardens on Saturday, April 28 from noon to 5pm. Bridge sections will be made at both events when the public can join in.

Big green boxes to collect milk bottles have been set up at East Cambridgeshire District Council offices at The Grange in Nutholt Lane, Ely and at Price Bailey accountants in Broad Street, Ely.

The world record attempt to bridge the river will be made at Ely's third Classic Regatta on Saturday, June 23.

Anyone wishing to take part in the challenge should contact the organiser, East Cambridgeshire District Cllr Jack Waterfall on 07767 795895.