SUNDERLAND'S Northern Spire bridge has been shortlisted for an international award - and is looking for votes to help it win.

The landmark cable-stayed bridge is one of ten projects from around the world shortlisted for the ICE People's Choice Awards 2019, a prestigious industry award that recognises the top engineering project of the year.

Northern Spire will go head to head in a public vote against nine others, including projects from Hong Kong and New York, in the competition organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Voting closes on Saturday September 28 and the winner will be announced on November 12.

To vote for Northern Spire click here.

Council leader, Councillor Graeme Miller, said: "Northern Spire has really captured people's imagination and I would encourage everyone who has the chance to do so to vote for it in the ICE People's Choice Awards.

"In the last 18 months the bridge has seen a visit from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, played host to Strictly Come Dancing's Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice dancing across it, attracted thousands of pedestrians to an open day and become a firm favourite with the region's photographers.

"It is also a vital transport link used by an average 11,000 - 12,000 vehicles a day - that's 4.3 million since it opened in August last year.

"But as much as anything, it's symbolic of the city's confidence and get up and go with its soaring central pylon visible for miles around and I think it would be a worthy winner of the People's Choice award."

Northern Spire bridge is a key part of a £1.5bn package of city wide public and private sector investment underway in Sunderland, including £0.5bn in the city centre, as the city looks to build on its reputation as a great place to live, work and play.