ITS towers stand 242ft tall with the ferry platform travelling 645ft between them.

This formidable structure, Newport Transporter Bridge, is well on the way to being fully restored in time for its planned completion date in July.

Although work on the £2million pound project did not fully begin until February, a 22-strong team of painters and steelwork operatives have taken advantage of the better weather this month.

Six of these workers are replacing the 116 rails used for the gondola to travel on, which have been gradually worn away whilst the bridge was operational.

The other 16 men are responsible for mehcanical cleaning, painting and abseiling on the bridge, which was built in 1906.

The group includes four workers hired from Newport.

Project manager Peter Cook said that there is a lot of interest in the restoration project, particularly from students, as it is not just an 'iconic structure' in Newport, but the oldest of its type in Britain.

TI Protective Coatings, who Mr Cook is employed by, are well up to the mammoth task, as they successfully restored Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge.

However the Bolton-based company's background lies in renovating railway bridges.

The Newport project is set to be completed by July 2, after which it will be in full working order.