A 107-year-old dream has been realised with the installation of a tourist lift on Teesside's most famous landmark.

A new glass viewing lift has been installed as part of a £2.6m transformation of Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge and visitor centre.

The lift will provide visitors with views across to Roseberry Topping and across Teesside.

Historical council committee records from July 1907 show plans for a lift, a dream which never materialised.

The documents show an agreement for the recommendation of the bridge's gondola size but the lift proposal was met with an agreement for "no further action" by the Ferry Sub-Committee.

Tosh Warwick, Tees Transporter Bridge Education, Learning and Events Officer, said: "The idea of a lift on the bridge was first explored in 1907 but was vetoed by Cleveland Bridge's engineer Georges Imbault and the Ferry Committee, making this week's developments all the more significant in realising an ambition going back more than a century.

"The installation of the glass viewing lift is a landmark day in the history of the Tees Transporter Bridge."

The £2.6m Teesside Transporter Bridge Visitor Experience Project is being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The new lift is part of a wider programme of improvements including renovation of the gondola, replacement of bridge motors, the construction of a Winding House viewing area and improvements to the Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre.

The walkway at the top is also being improved to allow public access, and there will be better signs and improved lighting.

The bridge remains closed while the works are completed and is expected to re-open in the autumn.

Charlie Rooney, executive member for regeneration added: “Whilst the current renovations are on-going we continue to work with local community groups, education partners, businesses and historical organisations on projects celebrating the industrial heritage of both the Bridge and the wider area.”

In 2011 the Heritage Lottery Fund confirmed a £2.6m grant to refurbish and upgrade the Transporter Bridge, which celebrated its 100th birthday in October of that year.

There was a seven-month programme of centenary celebration events raising awareness about the bridge and the area's heritage.