A PEDESTRIAN bridge linking Hereford and Rotherwas has been officially named the Canary Bridge to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.

Hereford's greenway bridge was given its new name today and a new sign was revealed.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, the Dowager Countess of Darnley, paid tribute to the thousands of people who worked in the munitions factory at Rotherwas during both world wars.

They were given the nickname 'canaries' as the chemicals they used turned their hair and skin yellow. Thousands of workers used a similar bridge from St James to Rotherwas to get to work.

The proposal to name the bridge was made by the Rotherwas Together community group.

The chairman of the council, Sebastian Bowen, chose this as his special project and we're delighted it could happen during these difficult times.

"It's wonderful that this well-used connection between the city and Rotherwas is now the Canary Bridge," said Nicola Goodwin, the secretary of Rotherwas Together.

"During the wars, thousands of people would have walked over a similar bridge on the way to and from work. We hope people will remember them as they walk, run and cycle over the bridge

"Thanks to the Lord-Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, the Mayor of Hereford, local councillors and the representatives of our armed forces for attending today's ceremony."