Drivers in Marlow seem to be “getting the message” about protecting the town’s iconic bridge according to police after a series of enforcement operations.

Over the past few weeks, officers say they have maintained a visible presence to show drivers that the force takes the problem of vehicles ignoring the weight limit on the bridge seriously.

Sergeant Robin Hughes, based at Marlow Police Station, said: “We have been out looking for overweight vehicles crossing the bridge. In about four hours I've had to turn one vehicle around.

“I come here regularly and it looks to be getting the message across. It’s about education, and it’s the easiest way to do it.”

Sgt Hughes said the culprit in a large van was given a warning and ordered to turn around before crossing the river.

Marlow’s suspension bridge – a smaller replica of the famous chain bridge in Budapest – has a strict three-tonne limit per vehicle.

In 2013, police turned away several 4x4 vehicles during an enforcement operation with officers urging families to check the weight of their vehicle before attempting to cross.

And last year, Marlow’s top officer Inspector Scott Messenger suggested an increase to three-and-a-half tonnes as family cars straddling the limit were hard to enforce.

But council bosses in charge of the Grade I listed structure said they were “comfortable that three tonnes is the appropriate limit.”