A NEW bridge has further secured its place as a striking landmark, after winning an engineering award.

The Millennium Bridge, in Gateshead, was yesterday awarded the Institute of Structural Engineers' Supreme Award for Structural Engineering.

The accolade recognises the bridge as one of the finest examples of structural engineering in the world.

It beat off competition from the City of Manchester Stadium, a centre for the performing arts in Philadelphia, a station in Vancouver and the Royal Academy of Music.

The judges praised the designers, saying: "The innovation of a new type of opening bridge that is deceptively simple in concept, but fraught with engineering challenges, is a major achievement.

"The high degree of engineering skills to translate a brilliant idea into a working reality is evident for all to see.

"It is a joy to look at, to walk across and to watch."

The bridge has already won awards for best invention, building of the year, a Royal Fine Art Commission award, a Structural Steel award and the Royal Institute of British Architects' Stirling Prize.