THE grand re-opening of a famed North-East bridge that featured on the back of £5 notes will coincide with the anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) steaming into the history books.

Today marks 192 years since the famous line was opened to provide the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives.

The line connected collieries near Shildon with Stockton and Darlington, and was officially opened on September 27, 1825.

Now, after years of neglect, Darlington’s revamped Skerne Bridge – that lays claim to being the world’s oldest continuously operated railway bridge and the largest piece of infrastructure on the S&DR line – will be re-opened following the installation of footpaths and cycleways to show off the famous structure.

Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon, will unveil two plaques during ceremonies in Darlington and Heighington, near Newton Aycliffe, to mark the significance of the Skerne Bridge and the S&DR line.

She will first visit Darlington’s Head of Steam railway museum before heading to Heighington railway station, to honour Locomotion One – the first loco to be placed on the tracks of the historic line.