JOINING the Mayor for those first historic steps was 102-year-old Dora Heckford.

The daughter of former Poole Sheriff, John George Rigler, she remembers watching the Poole Bridge opening ceremony aged 19.

She got out of her wheelchair to set foot on the Twin Sails Bridge.

Dora, who lives in Upton, said: “It was a big honour and felt really nice. This bridge is very nice, we can get used to it as it’s here now.

“ May please God it works.”

Six generations of the Rigler family, including Dora’s great grandson Aiden Rigler, 10 months, turned out for the celebrations.

John Rigler, 74, said: “The bridge is absolutely marvellous. It’s going to open up East and West so we can walk around. It’s been needed for a very, very long time and it has all come to fruition.”

Peter and Joan Brackpool, of nearby Levet’s Lane, have been watching the bridge being built.

“We’ve had all the noise of the work so thought we’d come and have a look,” Peter said.

“We think it’s really good.”

Wife Joan said: “We don’t understand all the technology things but it’s here so let’s enjoy it.

“We used to live in Hamworthy so we’ve been backwards and forwards over the old bridge many, many times.

“They’ve been promising another ever since we moved here and we’re happy to see it happen at last.”

Oakdale resident Sandi Welch, 48, said: “I really wanted to see Poole get this bridge and now it’s here.

“It’s such an iconic thing and so good for Poole – it has got a lot of publicity. I heard it’s even on an A level syllabus.”

Sarah Nicklen, 40, from Hamworthy, said: “It’s fantastic. I love the design and just think the bridge is amazing.

“It’s great for all the docks and boats of Poole.”

Her mum, Marcia Chappell, 59, said: “Hopefully it will mean less chaos and traffic in Hamworthy. I think it’s great for Hamworthy in particular.”

Ian Hughes, 49, and friends paddled to the bridge in canoes.

Mr Hughes, from Morecambe in Hamworthy, said: “I’ve been behind the project all the way.

“It’s a landmark. Portsmouth’s got the Spinnaker Tower and we’ve got the Twin Sails in Poole now.”

He added: “It will be handy for getting around. Before, if you were on your way to catch the ferry you could be in a queue for the lifting bridge tearing your hair out.

“This should help keep the traffic down.”