£1m gift to help restore Brunel's 'other' bridge

A MYSTERY donor has promised £1 million to help restore a unique bridge in Bristol docks designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

- STAFF REPORTER

The bridge in 1960 before its closure eight years later

But those renovating the 176-year-old swivel bridge need to raise a further £1m.

The wrought iron bridge, known affectionately as Brunel's Other Bridge (BOB), was opened in 1849 years before his Clifton Suspension Bridge was built.

It was closed in 1968 and now rests on the dockside under the Plimsoll Bridge which replaced it.

Trustees of a charitable group set up to oversee its renovation want to get it fully operational again in time for its 180th anniversary in four years' time.

They are called Brunel's Swivel Bridge Group after the name the famous engineer gave to the bridge.