More than 2,000 people turned up to wish Walney's Jubilee Bridge a happy 100th birthday on July 27, 2008.

The three oldest residents from Walney and Barrow, Dorothy Latham, Josephine Wardle and Percy Jones, all 99, took part in the celebrations, which kicked off with a parade across the bridge.

A centenary plaque, designed by Phil Cousins, was blessed by members of the clergy and would be attached to the bridge over the following week, to commemorate the anniversary.

Event organiser, councillor John Murphy, explained that the Friends of Walney group had been delighted that the pensioners had agreed to help with the celebrations. He said: "It's wonderful they've come to help to wish the bridge a happy birthday and, of course, we had to have a birthday cake."

Miss Latham, who was due to turn 100 that week, said she felt incredibly proud to be taking part in the celebrations.

She said: "I think this is wonderful. I never thought there would be so may people and so many things going on here."

Vickerstown Park hosted a number of attractions, including live bands, stalls, rides and face painting.

Walney's Carnival Queen, 12-year-old Sapphire Walkden, joined the parade walking across Jubilee Bridge. She said "Today is really important to the people of Walney and I'm so proud to be serving the community."

Cllr Murphy, who had lived on Walney all his life, came up with the idea to celebrate the centenary three years previously at a Friends of Walney meeting.

He said: "For 100 years this bridge has been serving the people of Barrow and Walney, and we knew it had to be celebrated in a memorable way."

The events on the Sunday culminated with a stunning display of fireworks.

A few days previously The Mail had recalled the day in 1935 when the toll to cross Walney Bridge was lifted.

Elizabeth, Duchess of York, did the honours and turned Walney Bridge into Jubilee Bridge to mark the 25-year reign of her father-in-law King George V.