As bridges go, it does not look as impressive as many that span the nation's rivers.

Bristol may have the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Edinburgh its magnificent rail bridge.

No one could forget Gateshead's tilting Millennium Bridge, which links it with Newcastle, nor London's Millennium Bridge spanning the River Thames.

But the tiny wooden tollbridge at Shoreham has its own unique place in history, so special that a £500,000 project is underway to prevent the Grade II* listed structure from crumbling into the River Adur.

It has its own society dedicated to saving it and has received donations from all over the world.

People are determined the tollbridge will not become Shoreham's equivalent of Brighton's derelict West Pier.

Adur councillor Liza McKinney set up the Old Shoreham Tollbridge Community Trust in 2001 when it was discovered extensive work was needed to save it.

She said: "Within 24 hours of starting to ring round for support we had 40 members signed up.

"It is still a bridleway and an important link across the river for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Staff from companies based at Shoreham airport use it every day to walk to and from work.

"We have had support from former pupils at Lancing College and one sent a donation of £100 from New York.

"He said it was his conscience money for all the times he had used the tollbridge and not paid."

The campaign has also received £192,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £100,000 from West Sussex County Council.

Fund-raising events have included a sponsored bike ride across the bridge, in which Tim Wilson rode his penny farthing.

But there is still some way to go, with another £164,000 needed to ensure the work is completed.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has been kept informed of efforts to save the bridge.

News of the campaign to save it even reached Maude Lawrence at her home in Hampshire four years ago.

The great-grandmother was the bridge's tollkeeper during the Second World War and is the only woman to have held the post.

She told The Argus: "It is definitely worth saving. It is a beautiful old bridge which brings back many happy memories for me."

Experts, including divers, have just completed a major survey of the structure, which was built by redundant Welsh miners in 1782. Its findings will be used to decide how best to preserve the bridge, which carried traffic on the A27 over the Adur until 1968.

Neil Mitchell, West Sussex County Council's countryside manager, said: "We hope to keep as much of the original structure as possible.

"It used to carry buses so we hope the footings are still fairly sound and not too much work will be needed on them.

"Things like the handrails will need looking at because they do not meet modern safety standards.

"We will be able to get a better idea of the total cost of conserving the bridge once the survey report is complete."

Coun McKinney added: "It has been a long time since we started work on this project and a lot of people have been asking about it.

"I am thrilled the first phase is underway and we can look forward to seeing it restored in two or three years."