A CYCLE bridge which incorporates a stunning piece of visual art has been illuminated for the first time.

Coloured floodlights on the bridge, across the A689 near Sedgefield, were tested for a few minutes before the official opening later this month.

The bridge, designed by artist Peter Fink, features wings of coloured tubes illuminated by orange, green and yellow lights.

A spokeswoman for Durham County Council said: "The test went really well with no problems. It looks very impressive.

"The lighting emphasises the mast and highlights the flow of the wings, and once it is officially opened the lights will be on from dusk to dawn."

The bridge, near the site of the former Wynyard Station on the old Castle Eden railway line, will provide cyclists and walkers with a safe route across a dual carriageway.

It will complete one of the last pieces of the National Cycle Network in County Durham, linking to the sea- to-sea route and the 5,000km international North Sea network.