Isambard Kingdom Brunel's world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge could not have been built without the help of a mother-of-six, it has been revealed.

Sarah Guppy patented a design for piling foundations in 1811 which was crucial for the iconic bridge across the Avon Gorge.

But instead of making a name for herself, Mrs Guppy gave the plans to Brunel for free because she believed women must "not be boastful".

The engineer was born Sarah Beach in Birmingham in 1770 but lived her adult life in Bristol after marrying Samuel Guppy, from a wealthy family which ran a Bristol sugar company.