A £1.2 million railway bridge that has been dubbed a “metal monstrosity” will be re-clad in brick, rail chiefs have pledged.

Parish leaders from Brinkworth met Network Rail officials on Monday following an outcry over the “ghastly appearance” of a bridge that was opened in December.

Four options to improve its unsightly look were presented to village leaders who chose one that will see it regain its traditional brick façade.

Network Rail will now come back with a detailed scheme for the facelift at School Hill Road Bridge.

Villager Martin Evans said: “We are very pleased. We chose the brick option as it was clearly the best.

“They will now come back with finalised plans for the brick cladding before the work is undertaken.”

Earlier North Wiltshire MP James Gray, who had taken up the village’s campaign with Network Rail received assurances from the regional director Robbie Burns that action would be taken to improve the bridge’s appearance.

Mr Gray described the green painted bridge that replaced a Victorian brick structure from the Brunel era as hideous.

The MP said he was now delighted to hear that action would now be taken to improve the look of the “ghastly metal contraption” that replaced “the very pleasant old stone bridge.”

He said: “It is welcome news that Network Rail bosses are meeting with parish council leaders to discuss the options.

“But they will enjoy little in the way of support from me and from my constituents if the electrification works result in more unsightly structures being put up in place of those which blend in so well with our beautiful rural landscape.”

However, Mr Burns has also assured Mr Gray that no other steel bridges of this type were planned for his constituency during the electrification project.