POOLE'S beleaguered Twin Sails bridge closed to traffic again during rush-hour yesterday evening following a malfunction.

The Borough of Poole said that its sails were “out of synchronisation” just before 5.30pm, but the bridge was working again by around 6.30pm.

The bridge had been in the down position with the barriers closed to traffic. Drivers were forced to turn around and take alternative routes, with heavy traffic reported on the old Poole Bridge.

A statement from the council, just before 5.30pm, said: “The Twin Sails Bridge leaves have gone out of synchronisation.

“An engineer is in attendance.

“We estimate to have the |bridge back in action within an hour.”