Local schoolchildren made the first crossing over the bridge Enlarge Image

Work started in May with the tallest crane in Europe helping to lift it into place.

Hundreds queued to be the first to use the Newport City footbridge, which was built as part of a multi-million pound regeneration plan.

It allows people living in the Maindee area easier access to the city centre.

The bridge links the city centre with Maindee

The design for the bridge was chosen by the people of Newport from a shortlist of three publicised in the South Wales Argus newspaper.

The bridge stands more than 100m (328 ft) high, is 145m long and 67m high and is made from 850 tonnes of steel.

It was described as "futuristic looking" by Newport council leader Bob Bright, who said it was an icon for the city.

Dominic Pask was the design leader for the project.

"I've worked on some unusual things but I've never worked on something quite like this - it really is unique."

Hundreds of people waited for their turn to cross the bridge

He said the design of the bridge meant that ground anchors up to 30m deep had to be dug to secure the bridge.

"We've designed it [to last] for 120 years so it should still be going strong for the next hundred years or so," he said.

Special hooks have been attached to the masts so that when it needs painting in 25-years time, the decorators will be able to reach the top.

And lights attached to the masts were specially made to use solar energy so that no electric cables had to be run up the masts.

During the design and construction of the bridge, the wildlife around the environmentally sensitive River Usk was also taken into account.

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Work in the water stopped between the end of March and the start of July so not to disturb the migrating shad fish.

A specially designed bridge by-pass was constructed after it was revealed that an otter path would be disturbed by the bridge.

Sarah Jane Davies, one of the project manager for the bridge for the assembly government said: "We knew a route underneath the bridge was a necessity so a little ledge was built especially for the otters underneath.

"And we've put special shields onto the lights on the bridge so that they don't shine directly into the water and affect the fish."

As the bridge was officially opened to the public by Andrew Davies, minister for enterprise, children from two schools on each side of the river met in the middle.

A fantastic bridge and I think it should be well used what with the rugby ground just there Brian Collins

Hundreds gathered to watch the opening with many people taking the opportunity to cross the bridge for the first time.

Jolene Anderson, 26 and her three-year-old daughter Katie Ellie were among the first to walk over the new bridge.

"We saw the crowd and the balloons being let off and Katie Ellie wanted to see them so we came over - we weren't really sure what was going on at first," said Ms Anderson.

"It's a really nice bridge though."

Brian Collins, 40, from Newport agreed.

"It's fabulous - a fantastic bridge and I think it should be well used what with the rugby ground just there," he said.

"It's really good how they've put it together."

Tanveer Siyan, 37, from Newport added: "It's wonderful - they've done it really well.