THE creators of the Kent Messenger Millennium Bridge over the River Medway in Maidstone have been honoured for their ambition, innovation and vision.

The bridge, which crosses from Whatman Park to the towpawth near James Whatman Way, was one of just six South East winners of the Royal Institute of British Architects Awards for Architecture.

RIBA representatives visited Maidstone to present a plaque and certificates to mark the achievement. Regional director Helen Wren said the judges had chosen buildings that served their purpose and fitted well into their context but that also showed ambition, innovation and vision.

Regional chairman Bob Rathmill presented certificates to architects Cezery Bednarski of Studio Bednarski and Richard Batty of Studio E Architects, to Jim Crowe of conctrators Balfour Beatty and to the structural engineers, Strasky, Husty and Partners.

The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Pat Marshall, was presented with a plaque on behalf of Maidstone Borough Council. She thanked everyone connected with the bridge, which is part of the Maidstone Millennium River Park, and added: "We now have a bridge of which we at Maidstone council and, I'm sure, the people of Maidstone, are justifiably proud."

Edwin Boorman, chairman of the Kent Messenger Group who was chairman of the Maidstone Millennium River Park fund-raising committee, said: "Maidstone really is doing its very best to become a beautiful town again." The Kent Messenger Group donated £150,000 towards the cost of the bridge.

All three of the bridges in the Maidstone Millennium River Park have now won awards. The Lockmeadow Millennium Bridge, which opened in October 1999 linking the Lockmeadow complex with the Archbishops' Palace, received two awards for excellence from the Civic Trust and the Institute for Structural Engineers.

The bright blue Downstream Bridge which crosses the River Medway into Whatman Park, received a certificate of merit in this year's Structural Steel Design Awards.