A BRIDGE is in need of repair after it was struck by a stolen SUV.

Sandleheath Road in Fordingbridge remains shut after the River Allen bridge was hit by a black Hyundai Tucson just before 11pm on Wednesday night.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said officers were called but nobody was found at the scene.

“We were called to a single-vehicle collision at around 10.52pm in Sandleheath Road, Fordingbridge. The bridge was damaged. There was no reported injuries.

“A black Hyundai Tucson was involved, and it is believed the vehicle was reported stolen.

“Nobody was located at the scene.

“Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made.”

A spokesperson for Dorset County Council said an engineer is assessing the damage to the bridge and will decide what work is needed to make it safe.

"Both parapets have visual damage, but we've got to inspect under the bridge as well to give it a through assessment.

"The road will remain closed until the bridge is made safe. Once we know what work is needed, we might be able to carry out a temporary repair in order to get the road reopen. Unfortunately, at the moment, we don't have any specific details or timescales."

The road is expected to reopen on Thursday evening.