A BRIDGE in Boscastle has been named one of the best places in the UK to play a game of Poohsticks.

New Lower Bridge was installed over the River Valency after the former 19th Century structure was swept away in the floods of 2004.

The bridge, which received some criticism at the time for its modern design, has been revealed as one of the top 10 in the country for the ‘timeless’ game Poohsticks, made famous by Winnie-the-Pooh and friends.

The game, in which competitors drop sticks into a river upstream off a bridge and see which comes out downstream first, is first mentioned in The House At Pooh Corner by AA Milne published in 1928.

A list of top ‘Poohstick-perfect’ bridges has been compiled by VisitEngland. New Lower Bridge is the only one in the South West to make the list of 12, with others located as far as North Yorkshire and London.

Rebecca Lowe, Head of PR at VisitEngland said: “Poohsticks is a timeless game. From its first mention in A A Milne’s 1928 classic, The House at Pooh Corner, to today, it remains a great way for families to spend time together and enjoy England’s great outdoors just like Pooh! Our recommendations of top Poohsticks bridges are just some of the great spots to enjoy the game across the country, and will hopefully encourage families to get out and engage in some friendly competition over the weekend.”

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.