PEOPLE in Durham are being invited to name a footbridge being built across the River Wear.

The £500,000 structure will carry pedestrians and cyclists from Framwellgate Waterside, near the entrance to a planned £30m four-star hotel, to the Sands car park at Freeman's Place.

The bridge, funded by the Millennium Commission, will be put in place later this month and is due to be completed in March.

Durham City Council leader Maurice Crathorne said: "Creating a new bridge is a rare event and this footbridge will help local people enjoy both sides of our river more easily.

"It will link with well-used routes including the long distance cycle route through the city.

"Very few people have the chance to name a bridge which will be here for generations to come.

"Millennium City came about as a result of local people's wishes and it is great to be able to involve local people in naming an important new link for the city."

The person whose name is chosen will attend a ceremony later this year and win two tickets to any Gala Theatre performance.

Suggestions should be made by contacting Jillian Scott on 0191-301 8757 or writing to her at Durham City Council, Byland Lodge, Hawthorn Terrace, Durham.

The closing date for the competition is Friday, February 22.