Boro voice for Transporter Bridge

Hear Mr Hall's announcement

A Teesside man is to become the new voice of Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge after complaints that the existing announcer is too "southern".

Brian Hall, from the town's Netherfields area, was chosen by public vote in a competition run on a local newspaper website.

The 43-year-old will welcome motorists, ask them to apply their handbrakes, and remind them not to smoke.

His voice will take over for the landmark's 96th birthday on 17 October.

Welcome to the Transporter Bridge - the pride of Middlesbrough. Please turn off your engine and apply your handbrake Brian Hall

The bridge is one of only eight working transporter bridges worldwide, two of which are in the UK.

Two hundred people, or six cars, can be carried across the River Tees in about 90 seconds by the travelling "gondola", which is suspended on a platform and pulled by two cables.

A recording of Mr Hall will announce: "Welcome to the Transporter Bridge - the pride of Middlesbrough. Please turn off your engine and apply your handbrake.

"Can I also remind you the Transporter Bridge is a no-smoking facility."

'Too abrupt'

The father-of-two, who was raised in the town's Pallister Park, agreed that a local voice should welcome people aboard the famous attraction.

He said: "Having grown up in the area, I've seen the bridge all my life.

"We used to have days out in my dad's car and now I take my own kids across for trips to Seaton Carew."

His two sons would be excited to learn he had been chosen, he added.

Middlesbrough Council confirmed that the competition was organised after residents complained that the existing voice was "too southern and too abrupt".