A LORRY driver ended up in a sticky situation when his long load became wedged in Bradpole.

He was driving the truck with Belgian number plates and a trailer carrying farm machinery down Lee Lane when he became wedged on the bridge.

The road was blocked for nearly four hours as police were called and the trailer and cab were separated so the driver could reverse off the bridge.

Ron Coatsworth, who is a parish, town and county councillor, said that satnav systems were sometimes to blame for sending lorries and coaches down the single carriageway lane.

He said: “The lorry shouldn’t have been down there.

“We put a sign directing heavy vehicles away as there is a restriction on weight and size.”

Coun Coatsworth said the authorities had been asked to contact satnav companies to ensure that drivers of big vehicles were not send down there.

The lorry drove down the single track Lee Lane, off East Road, before becoming stuck on the zig-zag shaped bridge over the river Asker at 3pm on May 23.

Resident Julian Stone caught the chaos on camera while other villagers saw the drama unfold.

Barry Smith, whose garden backs on to the river and bridge, said: “I heard it before I saw it.

“The driver thought he could get across but it was a bridge too far.

“He had to disconnect the trailer.

“He was well and truly stuck.

“He was there for a few hours.”

Mr Stone said that he spoke to the driver 50 yards up the lane of the bridge.

He said: “I’ve seen some big juggernauts down there who have had to reverse back.

“There seems to be one a month.”

Mr Stone said that he thought satnavs sent vehicles down there although on some devices there is an option of main road or back routes.

Police requested assistance as the trailer was disconnected to allow the driver to try and reverse off the bridge.

A police spokesman said that traffic officers were called and requested that a recovery vehicle come to assist clear the bridge of the lorry and trailer.

Dorset County Council is to carry out repair work.

A council spokesman said: “The bridge sustained very minor damage that poses no immediate safety risk and we will be shortly arranging repairs. Two brick stone copings were pushed off bed.”