Watch the nerve-jangling moment a giant historic Swansea bridge is lifted away by a huge crane

A landmark of Swansea's industrial heritage is on the move as part of a major restoration project.

Built in 1909, the bascule bridge was a key piece of infrastructure in the town's world-leading copper industry.

But in recent decades it fell into disrepair, and has been fenced off from the public for the last 20 years.

Now a major restoration project is underway to return it to its former glory.

Engineers have been busy on site in recent weeks preparing the listed steel and timber structure ready for removal.

Road closures were in place over the weekend while the 70-tonne bridge was lifted from its abutments and placed onto a low-loader.

Preparing to lift the historic Morfa bascule bridge (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

Engineers remove the bridge for repair and restoration (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

The 70-tonne bridge was taken by road to specialists in Swansea Vale for repair (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

Swansea Council said it hoped the bridge would be back in place sometime next year.

The bridge rescue forms part of ambitious plans to restore what remains of the riverside Hafod-Morfa copperworks area .

Robert Francis-Davies, the council's cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: "Work is essential at this time to prevent further decay and risk of loss of this Grade Two listed bridge which is also an officially scheduled historic monument.

"Any further delay would result in the loss of this valuable heritage that forms a critical part of Swansea's story.

"We thank the public for their understanding and patience at this time as we undertake the complex operation to remove the bridge for restoration."

Onlookers watching the bridge removal (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

Swansea Council hopes to have the bridge back in place next year (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

The bascule bridge across the River Tawe provided a vital rail link between the massive Morfa and Upper Bank metalworking sites, and the main platform could be lifted using a system of handcranks to allow boats access further upstream.

It fell into disuse with the demise of the copper industry, and in 1999 it was fenced off amidst safety concerns.

The restoration work is being carried out by Afon Engineering, based in Swansea Vale.

A new Penderyn distillery is part of the plan for the redevelopment of the copperworks site (Penderyn Distillery)

The 12-acre Hafod-Morfa copperworks site itself is subject to a major redevelopment which will see the restoration of a number of key buildings, and the creation of a visitor centre and a distillery operated by Penderyn.

Other ambitious ideas for the site include linking it with the top of nearby Kilvey Hill via cable car.

In the 19th Century the lower Swansea Valley was the centre of the global copper industry which stretched from Landore to Chile and Australia.