Forth Road Bridge 50th birthday: Fireworks end celebrations Published duration 14 September 2014

media caption A firework display on the Forth Road Bridge has marked the end of celebrations of the crossing's 50th anniversary.

A kilometre-long "river of fire" created by 2,014 torchbearers and a fireworks display closed the Forth Road Bridge 50th Anniversary celebrations.

It marked the end of the Forth Bridges Festival commemorating 50 years since the crossing opened to the public.

The display was followed by live music from Big Country and Bwani Junction in South Queensferry.

The fireworks began at 10:06pm on Saturday in recognition of the bridge's 1,006m span.

You can see more pictures of the dramatic display

image copyright Cathy Lovell image caption The fireworks commemorated 50 years since the 1,006m bridge opened to the public

image copyright Paul Vine image caption The fireworks were arranged by the team behind the display at the Glasgow 2014 opening ceremony

The torchlight procession was headed by a team of Vikings from Up Helly Aa and three pipe bands.

Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: "The year of homecoming has been a huge success and a chance to showcase our culture, history and heritage with events up and down the country."

The Forth Road Bridge closed to traffic in both directions at 22:00 for 30 minutes and a free shuttle bus ferried ticket-holders to and from locations both north and south of the Forth.

The event was produced by Edinburgh-based Unique Events, along with firework partners Titanium - the team behind the London 2012 Olympics ceremonies, Edinburgh's Hogmanay midnight fireworks and most recently the opening of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.