A crowd gathered to watch a historic part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway be reinstated.

Durham County Council has begun installing a new bridge over the River Gaunless, on the site of the former in West Auckland.

The new structure has been recreated in honour of Gaunless Bridge, which was built by George Stephenson and formed part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

Considered to be the first iron bridge in the world to be built for the modern railway, the original Gaunless Bridge was removed in 1901 and its ironwork can now be seen at Locomotion in Shildon.

Due to its size, the new crossing is being lifted into place in two halves by a 650-tonne crane before being welded together.

Its installation was witnessed by an excited crowd which included members of the public and partners from Historic England and Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said: “We are delighted to be restoring a key part of County Durham’s history with the installation of the new Gaunless Bridge.

“Creating a new Gaunless Bridge has been a large and challenging project and this marks an exciting milestone for everyone involved.

“Once complete, people will be able to explore the original line and reconnect with our county’s incredible railway heritage.”

Work will continue over the next three months to create accessible paths at either end of the bridge.

When finished, it will complete the Stockton and Darlington Railway Active Travel Route.

The 12-mile walking and cycling route was created to celebrate the railway’s bi-centenary and follows the original line from Witton Park to Darlington.

The Gaunless Bridge project was recently recognised at the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation North East & Cumbria Awards.

It won the Collaboration Award in recognition of the close working between the council, Historic England, Environment Agency, contractors and members of the public.

For more information, visit www.durham.gov.uk/SDRActiveTravelRoute