The £22 million "Blinking Eye" Gateshead Millennium Bridge has been named as one of the best inventions of 2001.

The 850-tonne bridge, which has attracted worldwide interest since its arrival at Gateshead Quays just over a year ago, was given the accolade by Time magazine, read by over a million people around the world every month.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is featured alongside the AlbioCor artificial heart, the Oceanworks Atmospheric Diving System, autopilot buses, a reusable rocket system, powerski jetboards, Pivco/Ford electric cars, a gyroplane and many other leading-edge inventions, from around the world.

A Time Magazine spokeswoman today told PA News: "It is a fine example of how modern technology can enhance age old ideas."

The magazine annually looks at inventions which are looked upon as either life-saving or life-changing to be included in its list of best inventions.

Times technology writer Anita Hamilton, said of the accolades: "The real measure of an invention is not just how well it works or how impressively it is engineered but how it changes lives."

Councillor George Gill, leader of Gateshead Council said: "When we chose the design for the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, we knew we had something special.

"But even though we knew how innovative it was, we have been taken aback by the massive worldwide interest in our bridge.

"Local people have taken the bridge to their hearts as a symbol of Gatesheads renaissance, which culminates in our joint bid with Newcastle, to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.

"But we are equally flattered that people right around the world are so interested in what we have done, and will continue to do so, in order to regenerate East Gateshead and Gateshead Quays."

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge was supported with lottery money through the Millennium Commission. The bridge, designed to open in a "blinking eye" movement, attracted worldwide publicity when it was assembled at a Tyneside shipyard then transported on a giant barge to be lifted into place near the Tyne Bridge.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge the first opening bridge to be built across the River Tyne for more than 100 years is the latest addition to the Tynes famous collection of bridges.

When it opened in September it provided a footpath and cycleway linking exciting new arts and cultural developments at Gateshead Quays on the south bank with Newcastle Quayside.

The bridge is operated by pivotal mechanisms on each side of the River Tyne which sit atop 19,000 tonnes of concrete and takes four minutes to open fully.