Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge reopening delayed

The Transporter Bridge is one of Middlesbrough's most famous landmarks

The reopening of Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge will be delayed a further week, the council has said.

Middlesbrough Council said bad weather had delayed the completion of the work and it hopes the bridge will now reopen on 21 May.

The landmark structure was closed in March after cracks were discovered on its upper booms.

While the repairs are being carried out a free bus service is in operation between the bridge and Port Clarence.

Transport councillor Nicky Walker said: "We've done everything we can to find an effective long-term solution, but the weather is one unpredictable factor over which we have no control.

"The Transporter has been around longer than most of us, and even it hasn't seen this much rain in April and May in its first 100 years.

"I'd like to apologise again for any inconvenience caused - we know how important the bridge is to people and we hope to have it open again on Monday, May 21, weather permitting."

Initially, it was thought the upper booms would have to be replaced, but it was later decided carrying out welding repairs would be a more cost-effective solution.

The Grade II-listed structure, which opened in 1911, is one of only six of its type still operating in the world and the only one in England.