A bridge which crosses the Norwich Northern Distributor Road has been blessed by a Bishop and given a new name thanks to schoolchildren.

Norwich Evening News: Opening and blessing of Woodlands Bridge in Spixworth by the Bishop of Lynn, Bishop Jonathan Meyrick. Picture: ANTONY KELLYOpening and blessing of Woodlands Bridge in Spixworth by the Bishop of Lynn, Bishop Jonathan Meyrick. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

The bridge, which carries Buxton Road over the £178.5m road, was blessed by the Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Revd Jonathan Meyrick, in a short ceremony.

Bishop Jonathan visited the bridge as part of his prayer pilgrimage in the Deanery of Norwich North and sang a song before delivering the blessing.

He also congratulated children from Woodland View Junior School in Spixworth, who came up with the name for the new bridge, which opened to traffic at the start of the month.

The youngsters whittled down their suggestions to a shortlist of three, which were put to Spixworth Pairsh Council.

Norwich Evening News: Opening and blessing of Woodlands Bridge in Spixworth by the Bishop of Lynn, Bishop Jonathan Meyrick. Picture: ANTONY KELLYOpening and blessing of Woodlands Bridge in Spixworth by the Bishop of Lynn, Bishop Jonathan Meyrick. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Their suggestions included Flightpath Bridge and Jetway Bridge, which were both inspired by the bridge's position on the flightpath to nearby Norwich International Airport.

But the parish council plumped for Woodlands Bridge, reflecting the name of the school and the large amount of trees, shrub and hedgerows which will be planted on the embankment in the coming months.

The youngsters, including Charlie Gibbons, Daisy Smith, Sarah Leeder and Phoebe Naphtine, said they were pleased they had been given the chance to help pick the bridge's name.

As well as carrying vehicles over the NDR, which will stretch from the A47 at Postwick to the A1067 Fakenham Road, the bridge also has a separate path for cyclists and pedestrians.

And solid metal hoardings along the parapets of it are designed to block out the headlights of traffic on the A1270 NDR below - so the bridge can be a 'dark corridor' for bats.

Martin Wilby, chairman of Norfolk County Council's environment, transport and development committee, said: 'Today has been a bit of a celebration about the opening of our bridge.

'The Bishop has come along today and given his blessing on the bridge, which was lovely. He explained his thoughts about a bridge - the usefulness of it and how it brings children together.

'It was lovely to see the children here today, especially. They put together the name of the bridge - Woodlands - which I think it very appropriate.'