Germans open giant wooden bridge

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The longest wooden bridge in Europe - called "The Dragon's Tail" - has been opened in the Thuringia region of eastern Germany.

The undulating bridge, 240m (787ft) long, spans a valley 25m deep near the town of Ronneburg. It is made of larch and spruce.

The town, together with neighbouring Gera, will host the German Federal Garden Show from April to October 2007.

The bridge will be a major attraction, linking two different landscape areas. The organisers hope to attract many visitors from all over Germany and Europe.

The idea of the exhibition is to show gardens and landscapes from the first awakening of spring to the floral autumn display.

The programme runs for 171 days and includes music and dance events.

Germany's MDR radio reports that the bridge will later form part of a long-distance cycling route through Thuringia.