The new £1.5bn bridge to be built across the Firth of Forth will be called the Queensferry Crossing.

Following a period of public voting, First Minister Alex Salmond confirmed the name this morning (26 June).

A shortlist of five names – Caledonia Bridge, Queensferry Crossing, St Margaret's Crossing, the Firth of Forth Crossing and Saltire Crossing – had been chosen by an independent panel for the final decision.

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A total of 35,000 votes were cast by the public, while more than 7,000 names were initially suggested for the new bridge.

Mr Salmond unveiled the name on a visit to the bridge's construction site.

He said: "It was Queen Margaret in the 11th Century who introduced a ferry to carry pilgrims across the Forth, giving the communities on either side of the Firth their name.

"The public's choice of Queensferry Crossing reflects the area's rich history and the continuing link between the two communities on the estuary's north and south banks."

The project is due to open in 2016.

(JP/CD)