An historic bridge enjoyed by poet Rudyard Kipling is to be reopened at King's Junior School in Sturry today.

Kipling, author of the Jungle Book, opened the school at Milner Court on October 5, 1929.

He knew the gardens and the attractive bridge over the Stour, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield in 1907.

Now, on 'Kipling Day' 103 years later, a replica of the historic bridge will be unveiled.

The Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis, will dedicate the bridge, and the Junior King's School Choir will sing.

A school spokesman said: "Kipling gained inspiration from walking in the ancient woods above the village and enjoyed the wildlife of the river.

"His much-loved poem 'The Way through the Woods' may have been based on this area, and his knowledge of the old road between Broad Oak and Herne."

The restored Milner Bridge, a gift from a family involved in the school, re-opens the original way onto a wooded island, where children can now enjoy the natural environment as a centre for outdoor learning.

The youngest children in the pre-prep have already built up a flourishing 'forest school' as part of the curriculum.