One of the most famous feats of Scottish engineering is to be given a major birthday party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its construction.

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) will hold a ten-day festival in September 2014 to celebrate the contribution of the Forth Bridge to the local community and the nation as a whole.

The "Celebration of the Bridges" will see a celebration of transport around the Bridge and will include a flotilla of boats on the Forth, a fireworks display and an opportunity for up to 2,014 members of the public to make the ascent to the top of the bridge’s main towers.

The firework display will be free to attend, according to Fife Council, while costs will be met through ticket sales for other events, corporate sponsorship and public funding.

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Transport & Veterans Minister Keith Brown said: "The Forth Road Bridge has provided 25m vehicles every year with a connection between communities north and south of the Forth estuary whilst acting as a vital link in Scotland's transport network.

"I am delighted to endorse the funding bid which will support preparations to celebrate the Forth Road Bridge's past, present and future. I'm sure those events will appeal to visitors from around the world and here in Scotland, and be one of the many highlights in the Homecoming Scotland 2014 calendar"

FETA Convener Tony Martin said: "The Forth Road Bridge is not just one of the world’s most significant long-span bridges, it is Scotland’s largest man-made structure and a symbol of home for many thousands who live nearby and who make the daily commute across it.

"By September 2014 the three towers of the new crossing will have risen from the Forth and, together with the world-famous Forth Bridge, we will have a unique attraction with three major bridges from three different centuries."

Further details are expected over the coming months, with a dedicated website due to be launched in the New Year.

(IT)