TESTING has started on the revolutionary lifting mechanism of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

Engineers are starting a series of tests on the hydraulic rams and complex control equipment that will lift the world's first rotating bridge.

It will take about four weeks to complete the checks - during which time the £22m bridge, known as the blinking eye, will move dozens of times.

Since the bridge arrived with much fanfare at Gateshead Quays in November last year, the Gateshead construction company Harbour and General has been installing a system of powerful electric motors and hydraulic rams.

These will lift and rotate the 850 tonne steel bridge upwards to allow ships to pass underneath.

The lifting equipment is controlled by a sophisticated computer system, which also needs to be thoroughly tested.

Once the tests have been completed, the bridge will be tested fully for the first time in June.

However, further work is needed to complete the bridge and Baltic Square before it can open to the public in September.

Gateshead Borough Council's director of design and construction, John Johnson, said yesterday: "This is an exciting time as we start to commission the bridge.

"At first it will be raised just a few metres and then be lowered. Engineers will then check the equipment and computer software and fine-tune the settings."