JUST under 3,000 people took their one and only chance to walk across Sheppey's new bridge link with mainland Kent on Sunday before it opens to traffic.

The event, organised by Sheppey Round Table, in conjunction with Carillion, Sheppey Route Ltd and the Highways Agency, also gave the sponsored walkers, many in fancy dress, a chance to raise funds for charity.

Walkers were ferried to and from the start of the walk by double decker buses.

Bandsman Bill Jarvis enjoyed a note of nostalgia when he played at the event, which was the official opening of the new crossing.

Mr Jarvis, now 71 and a musician with Sheppey’s St John Ambulance Band for 55 years, played a fanfare when the Island’s old bridge was opened in 1961. More than 40 years later he and fellow band members struck up marching tunes to lead the procession of walkers on the first trek across the new high span bridge.

Mr Jarvis, formerly of New Road in Sheerness, and now living in Ash, near Canterbury, said: "It means a lot to me and to the band to be here. There have been so many changes over the years."

The walk was started by 11-year-old Melissa Cannon, a pupil at St George’s Middle School in Minster, who won a competition run in the Sheerness Times Guardian to design a logo for tee-shirts worn by many of Sunday’s walkers.

The Mayor of Swale, Cllr John Morris said: "At present you can spend half a day getting on and off the Island, but I am sure we will benefit overall from this."

Cllr Morris, who represents Sheppey Central, said he was concerned the new link would lead to a surge in house building, but it would also bring new jobs and business to the Island.