FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon led 50,000 people in a “once in a lifetime” walk across the £1.35 billion Queensferry Crossing yesterday, following a ballot for places that attracted quarter of a million applications.

The new road bridge opened to traffic on Wednesday but closed again yesterday so that competition winners could join Sturgeon and her transport Minister Humza Yousaf for the celebratory walk, with the SNP leader the subject of dozens of now customary selfies.

One of the first across the bridge after the politicians was 16-year-old Morgan Lewis-Wilson, from East Lothian, who had a saltire draped over his shoulders. “It was just brilliant,” he said.

Cilla and Graham Ferguson, from Dalgety Bay, dressed up as Toy Story's Woody and Jessie to raise funds for charity. Cilla, 66, said: "What an achievement, what a once-in-a-lifetime, awesome thing to do."

Shauna Killen, 45, from Anstruther, added: "It was absolutely fantastic, I got quite emotional coming across it.”

Before setting off across the 1.7-mile (2.7km) bridge Sturgeon said: "Walking across the new Queensferry Crossing will be a once in a lifetime experience, before it is officially opened to traffic and pedestrian access continues on the Forth Road Bridge."

Yousaf described construction of the bridge as a “staggering achievement” and said he wants to “build on the momentum that these celebrations will create”.

Local schools and community groups will also be allowed to walk over the structure on Tuesday before it closes to pedestrians for good.

The crossing will reopen to traffic on Thursday with a temporary speed limit of 40mph, before it is increased to 70mph.