Youngsters started a fire on an historic Victorian footbridge just weeks after it was put back in place following a seven month £150,000 restoration project.
 
Grade II listed St Mary's Bridge was closed for more than a decade on safety grounds before enthusiasts raised the money to make the unique piece of railway heritage safe again.
 
But weeks after local bridge specialist Mabey put the 125-year-old iron crossing back following months of work, a fire was was discovered in the middle of it.
 
Now bosses at Dean Forest Railway (DFR), which raised the money for the restoration, have thanked nurse Nicola Whettam and her friends for helping to save the newly-restored bridge from damage.
 
Nicola, 44, was out running with dog and three friends when they decided to make a detour over the iron bridge for old time's sake.
 
But as they approached the bridge that they once used to get to school, they noticed a "peculiar light".
 
"As we got closer I could see a smouldering pile of wood and cardboard right in the middle of it," she said.
 
"It was obviously deliberate act. I'm guessing it was kids messing about, but whoever it was certainly knew how to make a bonfire. We kicked the wood apart and stamped it all out before it caused any more damage. It wasn't a huge fire but it's sad they felt the need to do it because the bridge has just been refurbished and the access reopened. People in the town are very fond of it."
 
It was the latest in a spate of vandal attacks in the town which is at the centre of a long-running row over youth provision.
 
Grateful DFR chiefs thanked Nicola publicly for saving the bridge which was closed for safety reasons in 2007 until enthusiasts at the railway, which runs between Lydney and Parkend, secured funds to restore it.
 
The last remaining piece of original Severn & Wye Railway infrastructure was taken away by local company Mabey for restoration and repair last June.
 
The bridge, which is near St Mary's church, Bathurst Park, and Lydney boating lake, was put back in place recently, restoring a public right-of-way linking the town and the boating lake.
 
DFR Project manager Jane Kelly once described the bridge as "a jewel in the crown of Lydney's industrial heritage".
 
A spokesman for the railway said they found it "unbelievable" that the vandals should attack the popular landmark which was originally built at St Mary's Halt railway station to stop workers crossing what was once a busy track bringing coal from the Forest to Lydney harbour.
 
"We would like to make an official thank you on behalf of the company to the lady who put out the fire on the bridge last night," said a spokesman.
 
"Thank goodness for the lady in question's pro-activeness and community spirit. This event would seem to strengthen the argument in favour of wider CCTV across the estate."
 
But Nicola said, "I can understand why they would say that but I don't think CCTV is the answer because it seems to me that it is indicative of a wider issue. There have been so many cuts, there isn't a lot for kids to do in this area. Having said that, I wish the kids who lit the fire would find a better outlet for their energy than damaging property."
 
Janet Hughes.