VOTING began on Monday on a TV show that could create a car-free river crossing in Bournemouth.

Four huge nationwide schemes are bidding for £50m in lottery cash on ITV series Living Landmarks starting on December 3.

The Connect2 scheme aims to promote alternatives to the car. One of the 79 proposals included in the scheme is for a new crossing of the River Stour at Throop Mill.

The £300,000 crossing would replace the footbridge and would be like a large bridleway - open to horses, walkers and cyclists, but not cars.

Residents have been urged to vote because the money is waiting to be used. It is not taxpayers' money, and will only go to another local authority if Bournemouth loses out.

Cllr Ron Whittaker said horse riding was part of the area's culture and that the crossing would let commuters cycle to the airport and Hurn Village.

John Hayter, Bournemouth representative of the Dorset Cyclists Network, said: "At the moment there aren't any traffic-free or cycle-friendly crossings of the River Stour.

"Both New Road and the Wessex Way are unsatisfactory. There's a desperate need for a route."

If Connect2 wins the vote the Throop crossing would still need to compete with the other 78 smaller projects to secure a slice of the £50m.

It is one of the smallest requests for funding and both Cllr Whittaker and Mr Hayter think it has a good chance of success.

The four schemes are competing for the lottery's biggest-ever single giveaway. Presenter Lorraine Kelly will publicly back Connect2.

Her rivals are Ray Mears, backing an expansion of the Eden Project in Cornwall, Brian Blessed promoting plans for Sherwood Forest, and Toyah Willcox, supporting the Black Country Urban Park.

  • Online voting began on Monday at thepeoples50million.org.uk/vote
    Telephone voting is due to begin on December 7.