BLAENAVON World Heritage Site is celebrating the restoration of one of Wales' oldest iron bridges

The structure dates from the period between 1820 and 1845 and was placed back in position recently after undergoing major refurbishment thanks to a grant from the European Regional Development Fund.

Restoration of this important World Heritage Site feature is part of a wider programme of projects in the locality designed to increase visitors to the area and boost the local economy.

The bridge was removed from its historical setting in June last year and is constructed from three cast iron arches joined by iron plates on top and tie bars between the arches.

It is considered to be one of the earliest examples of this type of bridge still surviving in South Wales and represents a significant survival of the industrial infrastructure of the period.

In 1994 Cadw, the Welsh heritage body, scheduled the bridge as an ancient monument. But less than a decade later the bridge was closed to the public after concerns were raised about the potential risk of its collapse due to the river undercutting the abutment walls.

Councillor Bob Wellington, Leader of Torfaen council, said, "It was incredible to see the restored bridge placed back in the World Heritage Site. I was there to see the delicate removal of the historic bridge last summer and the restoration project has been a complete success.

"I would like to congratulate everyone involved and I'm sure the bridge will become a key visitor attraction located along a new waymarked trail which links many key historic features of interest between the World Heritage Centre, Big Pit and Forgeside."

The restoration is part of the Valleys Regional Park Programme with support secured from the European Regional Development Fund, Heads of the Valleys Programme and Cadw through the Welsh Government.