ENGINEERING experts will work under floodlights next week to swing into place a bridge across a danger road being erected in memory of a little girl and her grandmother.

Eight-year-old Jade Hobbs and 79-year-old Margaret Kuwertz died as they crossed the A249 near the family home in Pilgrims' Way, Detling, near Maidstone, shortly before Christmas 2000.

The engeering work on the Jade Crossing bridge is expected to take place sometime between midnight and 1am on Monday, when an 800-tonne crane will pick up the completed footbridge bridge and lift it into place on the road.

But the operation can only go ahead if there is no wind. Should it go ahead, the A249 will be closed for safety reasons while the bridge is in the air.

The £1.18million crossing is due to be opened by August. Approval for the bridge came after the death of Jade and her grandmother. Jade's parents, Caroline and Paul Hobbs, raised £75,000 towards the bridge.

More than £1million has come from Kent County Council and the rest of the money from Maidstone Borough Council and Detling Parish Council.