A LORRY driver who crashed into one of York's oldest monuments told a court he did not see the signs warning about the height restrictions.

The accident, last November, caused an estimated £10,000 of damage to the 12th century Walmgate Bar.

It also led to City of York Council considering closing the Bar for good to traffic to try to prevent further damage.

Paul Heap, 25, of Bradford, pleaded guilty at Selby Magistrates Court to driving without due care and attention.

Emma Pearce, prosecuting, said that Heap was driving into York city centre on November 7 when the lorry collided with the Bar. She said a report by a council engineer said the collision dislodged and damaged stone supporting the Bar, causing an estimated £10,000 of damage.

She said that most of the damage was caused when the driver tried to reverse out of his tight spot.

Eventually police officers and fire crews had to use cutting gear to free the lorry, which was carrying sweets and chocolate.

Heap did not appear in court but admitted the offence in writing.

In a letter to the court he said it was the first time he had visited the area and he did not see the height restrictions.

He said: "I easily cleared the first half of the bridge but the second was much lower, and it was there I realised there was a problem."

Heap said there had been many similar accidents in the past and he was usually a cautious driver with a clean record.

He said: "I did not deliberately damage the bridge.

"I did, however, make a misjudgement for which I sincerely apologise."

Magistrates fined him £110, ordered him to pay £50 costs, and gave him five penalty points on his licence.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, February 20, 2004