SHOP owners say plans to close a historic bridge for five months with no alternative crossing will put them out of business.

It comes after Highways bosses confirmed a temporary crossing will not be built alongside the 200-year-old Finchingfield Bridge while replacement work takes place.

Alex Robinson and Jane Welsh, of Finchingfield Post Office, said the impact on their shop could be catastrophic.

Miss Robinson said: "We rely on the bridge, it's the only route through the village and the main way for people to get to us.

"When the lorry hit it a few years ago and it was closed for five days our business dropped by around 70 or 80 percent and that was just one week.

"Five months with no crossing would decimate the business, we would have to close - if it was for a month or so we would just ride that out.

"There's also the possibility they could close the bridge at any moment for five days to do investigation work."

One of the main reasons for not installing a temporary crossing during the work was that it would destroy several picturesque village greens.

But Miss Robinson, who has been at the post office for around eight years, said that should not be primary concern.

She said: "It's just earth and turf and it will always grow back. With the work on the bridge there's going to be so many lorries and all sorts driving over the greens anyway."

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: "We continue to listen to concerns from local residents and business owners around plans for Finchingfield bridge and the much-needed work to improve safety and sustain the bridge for the future.

"We are at an early stage in the process and just starting to invite interested parties to discuss concerns they may have.

We will then work together with local business owners and affected residents to keep any disruption to a minimum.

"The current proposals that have been put forward have been developed in partnership between the county council, Braintree District Council and Finchingfield Parish Council.

"We will explore together any potential measures to mitigate the impact on the local community as much as is practically possible."