BALLROOM dancers and brass bands will feature at the grand opening of Bolton’s new worldwide tourist attraction.

Enthusiasts from as far afield as New Zealand have already visited the new Meccano bridge at Nob End in Little Lever.

The bridge was built using Meccano pieces 10 times the size of the toy set and 1,000 times heavier.

It links Little Lever with Moses Gate Country Park and was built by volunteers on the site of an old horse bridge, passing over the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal. On Saturday, Mayor of Bolton Guy Harkin will officially open the structure, while ballroom dancers will perform on the bridge followed by a brass band.

There will also be a marquee featuring Meccano models.

Artist Liam Curtin, who designed the £90,000 bridge, said it was one of his proudest achievements and that it had won the backing of Meccano fans from around the world.

He said: “What I’m really pleased with is the volunteers from the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society and members of the public who’ve helped out.

“We couldn’t have done it on that budget without them. The Meccano fraternity has responded really well to it.

“The bridge has been featured in Meccano magazines in New Zealand and Mexico — I didn’t expect that.”

Mr Curtin said that the idea for the bridge started last June.

He added: “I knew we could put a bridge in using a crane so I thought ‘we’ll have to build it like Meccano’, but then I thought ‘why don’t we just make it out of Meccano?’.”

The official opening takes place at 11am and all are welcome.