THE Forth Bridge has been awarded a gold Blue Peter badge, the programmes highest accolade.
It is the first structure to receive the programme’s highest honour, and Blue Peter said it was in recognition of the “thousands of workers that risked their lives to build it”.
Explaining the award for the 121-year-old rail bridge, Blue Peter editor Tim Levell said: “Legend says that, when the Prince of Wales opened the bridge in 1890, he placed a ceremonial golden rivet on the bridge.
“However this has never been found, so we thought it would be a fitting tribute to present the bridge with its own gold badge.”
Mr Levell added: “The Forth Bridge is a truly outstanding piece of engineering and the gold badge is our way of acknowledging the thousands of workers that risked their lives to build it, the hundreds of individuals who have helped to maintain it ever since, and the fact that it has benefited millions of British people who have used it in its 121-year history.”
Ian Heigh, of bridge owners Network Rail, said: “Blue Peter viewers have followed the painting and maintenance of the bridge over several decades, so we thought it would be appropriate to give them access again at the end of this unique project.
“It’s a great honour to accept the gold Blue Peter badge on behalf of the thousands of men and women who have worked on the bridge over the last 130 years.”
