Display to bridge Brunel interest

The Royal Albert Bridge was finished the same year Brunel died

A display marking the 200th anniversary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's birth is to go on show on either side of his Royal Albert Bridge.

The "Crossing the Bridge with Brunel" event opens at St Budeaux Library in Plymouth on Saturday and will be there for a week before moving to Cornwall.

After its Devon showing, it will go across the River Tamar to Saltash Library for the following week.

The bridge was completed in 1859, the year Brunel died.

Last achievement

The display, by Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery is holding the first of a series of special events to mark the anniversary of his birth.

The so-called "museum in transit" will be displaying a wide range of images, photographs and plans and models relating to Brunel's work.

There will also be activities for schoolchildren to help them learn why the bridge was so innovative and examine the forces and physics which make the bridge strong.

The Royal Albert Bridge was completed in 1859, the year Brunel died, making it his last major achievement.

As a result, the Great Western Railway was able to pass through Plymouth into Cornwall.