Coun John Freeman, Mayor Steve Smith and Bill Baker from the Whitby and District Tourism Association are hoping to form a steering group to plan the event.

Initial ideas include a parade across the decorated bridge by local dignitaries and a band playing.

Coun Freeman is hoping people might be able to help him by supplying any photos or video film they have of the bridge.

He has already begun talking to people who have various memories of the life of the bridge.

One lady told John she could remember making her way across a temporary pontoon bridge, possibly in the 1980s, she had two children holding her hands and was also heavily pregnant at the time.

She recalls thinking that the bridge was going to give way and wondering which of her children she would be able to save.

The bridge played an important part in the 1914 funeral of those who lost their lives in the Rohilla disaster and photos of this tragedy exist as a band led a funeral parade over the bridge and the victims coffins, draped in the Union Jack flag, were brought across the bridge by horse and carts.

"She has had some adventures over the years and she does a sterling job carrying so much weight after all these years.

"It's small wonder she develops faults," said Coun Freeman.

Other tales recount the time the council wanted to bring a steam roller across form the West Cliff and so they broke it down into three pieces so as not to cause the bridge too much strain.

Another involved a large Russian ship which scraped through the bridge with only inches to spare.

Coun Freeman has been searching for the original plans and drawings and has found that Heenan and Fronde Limited were the builders and engineers and the architect and designers were from Newcastle.

l Anyone who has any memories or photographs to share can comtact Coun Freeman on (01947) 602799.

Alternatively, you can e-mail your memories and pictures to us at the Whitby Gazette through editorial@whitbygazette.co.uk