The European logistics company whose driver tried to cross Marlow Bridge in a HGV, forcing it to close, has made a donation towards the town's Christmas lights fund. 

Marlow bridge has been closed since Saturday, September 24 after a Girteka Logistics lorry drove through traffic calming measures, blew a tyre and got stuck.

The donation has been made by the Lithuanian company as a "gesture of goodwill" after admitting their "embarrassment" at the damage their driver caused to the bridge. 

Marlow Town Council met with Kristian Kaas Mortensen, a spokesman for the company, last week. 

Town mayor cllr Bob Johnson, stressed that the Christmas lights donation is completely separate from the compensation being sought by Bucks County Council. 

He said: “This donation is entirely separate from the legal settlement for the damage to the bridge, or any other claims in relation to the bridge closure.

"Girteka Logistics has offered us this donation to the Christmas lights fund for the benefit of the whole town.”

The exact amount that has been donated by the company towards this year's lights has not yet been revealed, but is likely to be a welcome addition to the fund.

The Marlow Free Press announced last month that £20,000 was needed to ensure the town's Christmas lights tradition could go ahead again this year. 

The future of Marlow's Christmas decorations came under threat in 2014 when Wycombe District Council withdrew funding for the lights. 

Mr Mortensen said: “We regret sincerely the damage to Marlow’s bridge and the inconvenience caused to residents and businesses.

"This donation is made in the spirit of goodwill towards the town, by way of an apology to everyone for what happened.”

Detailed investigations by Bucks County Council, including stringent testing, are still ongoing to determine the extent of the damage to the bridge.