World's first tilting bridge opens

The bridge opens in a blinking eye movement

The world's first tilting bridge has opened for the first time in north east England.

Boats passed underneath the £22m Gateshead Millennium Bridge, which pivots on both sides of the River Tyne.

The event is the latest stage in preparation for an official opening in September.

Two tall yachts and two cruisers passed underneath the footbridge, which weighs more than 850 tonnes and is powered by eight electric motors.

Its design means it needs just £3.60 worth of electricity to open once.

Historic moment

It is the first opening bridge to be built across the River Tyne for more than 100 years and has already attracted world-wide attention for its unique design.

George Gill, the leader of Gateshead Council, pressed the button for the first official tilt.

He said: "This first opening is an historic moment.

The bridge attracts spectators

"When it opens to the public in September it signals the start of the fantastic new arts and cultural developments opening on Gateshead Quays."

Engineers have spent the last few months installing powerful electric motors to lift the bridge upwards.

It takes four minutes for the bridge to open fully, and it rises 25 metres above the Tyne.

Testing will continue over the next few months, before the bridge is fully open for pedestrians, cyclists and boats on 17 September.