HAMPSHIRE-based engineering consultants Gifford & Partners have scooped the International Association for Bridge & Structural Engineering's 2005 Outstanding Structure Award for its work on Gateshead's Millennium Bridge.

The title brings the number of awards won by the iconic structure to 37.

The project was put forward as the British nomination for the prestigious award that recognises "the most remarkable, innovative, creative, or otherwise stimulating structures completed within the last few years".

The design of the 105m-long "winking eye" tilting bridge across the Tyne was the result of a close collaboration between Totton-based Gifford and Wilkinson Eyre Architects.

Their brief was to produce a landmark structure that provided 25m clearance in the open position across the navigational channel, yet link the Newcastle and Gateshead quaysides at only 4-5 metres above river level.

The bridge joins an impressive cast of previous winners, including Paris' Stade de France and Bilbao's iconic Guggenheim Museum.

Gifford technical director Peter Curran said: "This is the 37th award and it is particularly significant because it is an international award so it helps with the client's aspiration to put Gateshead on the map.

"It will soon also appear on a pound coin, which is awesome.

"This was designed in the Southampton office. It is a skill we have down here and there's a lot of pride about it."

Gifford, which employs 350 people in two local offices, is also celebrating making the shortlist for the prestige £43m River Wear Crossing in Sunderland.