The sight of thousands crossing the Tyne Bridge from Newcastle into Gateshead is one of the highlights of the Great North Run.
The bridge has become a symbol of Newcastle and Gateshead since it opened in 1928 and is one of seven spanning the River Tyne in the urban area. But the once proud-looking crossing is a sight for sore eyes at the moment, as its green painted coat is flaking away to expose rust underneath.
It has become a source of embarrassment that one of the North East's most iconic landmarks has not had a fresh coat of paint in more than 20 years. That feeling is compounded when the bridge's sorry state is there for the entire country to see during coverage of the Great North Run.
