Scotland's Forth Bridge has been crowned the Yesterday Railway Bridge of the Year. The new award, which aims to help shine a light on some of the incredible structures that are, or have been, such a vital part of Britain's railways, was selected by a panel from a shortlist of five following the results of a public survey.

Lead panellist, railway historian and presenter of the TV programme, The Architecture The Railways Built, Tim Dunn said: I would never turn down the chance to talk about some of the most iconic railway structures ever built! I love all the bridges on the shortlist for different reasons, but there's something about the Forth Bridge that just stands out. It's a beacon of engineering excellence and having been to the top of the structure and on the bridge as trains rush past at track level, I can honestly say it's something I will never forget. I hope the award also makes a nice birthday present for the bridge - it turns a remarkable 133-years-old on Saturday!

Constructed in 1889 and spanning the Firth of Forth, the Forth Bridge, nine miles west of Edinburgh, was the world's earliest great multi-span cantilever bridges, and at 2,467 metres remains one of the longest. The distinctive red bridge is made with 53,000 tonnes of steel, held together with 6.5 million rivers and is 110m metres above the water at its highest point. Recent refurbishment techniques have put an end to the myth that painting the Forth Bridge is a never-ending task.

Alan Ross, Director of Engineering and Asset Management at Network Rail who own the Forth Bridge, said, The iconic Forth Bridge is an outstanding example of innovative engineering that has lasted the test of time. The UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the industrial wonders of the world and it's very fitting that it would receive the first ever Yesterday Railway Bridge of the Year award.