Work will start today on a footbridge that will link two university campuses separated by a motorway.

The bridge over the A167(M) Central Motorway in Newcastle will provide a link from Northumbria University's current campus in the city centre to its new buildings on the former Warners cinema site at Manors.

Plans for the bridge, which will be seen by thousands of motorists every day, have seen the university win a £500,000 grant from the Northern Rock Foundation.

As well as joining the two campuses, it is hoped that the bridge will provide a new link between the city centre, the east end of Newcastle and the Quayside.

Northumbria University vice-chancellor Professor Kel Fidler said: "The bridge forms an important part of the total campus development, which at almost £103m, is the university's largest ever investment programme, making a major contribution to the city's growth and regeneration."

Work is already well advanced on the old Warners site, which will be the new home for the university's business, law and design schools.