The council said access to the heritage site will still be possible from Highley.

BBC: New England's Donkey Bridge shut as floods leave it unsafe

Flood warnings are also in place for the River Severn at the showground and The Quarry in Shrewsbury, Hampton Loade and Highley, and Quatford.

BBC: Flood defences up as river set to peak

Shropshire Council said the central pier of the Donkey Bridge in New England, near Highley, has been "badly damaged" by debris carried by flood water.

BBC: New England's Donkey Bridge shut as floods leave it unsafe

Flood warnings are also in place for the River Severn at the showground and The Quarry in Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Hampton Loade and Highley, and Quatford.

BBC: Flood defences being put up in Shrewsbury

In a previously unreleased interview given to BBC Radio Shropshire when Neilson was diagnosed with motor neurone disease two years ago, Ms Bache described how the kidnapping of the 17-year-old heiress in 1975 shook their home village of Highley.

BBC: Funeral of Lesley Whittle 1975