A new footbridge in a Moray port which forms key part of a popular coastal walk has been officially opened.
The £418,000 crossing in Cullen has been built next to the viaduct in the village as a replacement for the original.
Primary school pupils raced each other yesterday to try to be first across the Burn of Cullen at the opening ceremony.
The previous bridge had stood for more than 90 years but had become unsafe.
In heavy spates water would back up under the crossing and flow over the top of it.
During yesterday’s ceremony council leader Stewart Cree, who represents Keith and Cullen, hailed the impact the popular coastal; walking route has on the economy of the village.
Local councillor Ron Shepherd had campaigned for a decade for a replacement crossing and cut the ribbon on the new Seatown Bridge span yesterday.
He said: “I’m delighted. I’ve been trying to get it built for 10 years and it’s here at last.
“The old bridge was past it. It had to be closed off in severe gales and bits were falling off it. It’s a very popular route. In the summer it’s very busy.”
The new footbridge has been built in almost the same place as the old crossing but a about 3ft higher to allow more water to flow underneath it.
A single-span design has been used to prevent debris from becoming trapped.