Tyne Bridge zipwire is ready for the Olympic Torch and Bear Grylls

Riggers from Zip Slides UK began putting up the Tyne zipwire at ten o'clock this morning. A scaffolding landing tower was erected on the Gateshead Quayside on the parade ground of HMS Calliope. High above on the Tyne Bridge a cherry picker lifted workers into place on the lower of the two arches.

The river dredger, named after Sir Bobby Robson, helped complete the zipwire by carrying the wire across the water into the shadows below the Tyne Bridge. Workers up above lowered a guide rop and hauled the zipwire 50m up to the arch.

Once the two ends were attached the wire was gradually cranked up and out of the water until it became a tight line from the bridge to the quayside. The zipwire is the longest temporary wire in the UK at 400m long.

Ian Weeks of Zip Slides UK talks to ITV Tyne Tees. The zipwire was tested at a quarry near Sheffield to make sure the hight and distance would work. Four test runs were carried out with a flame to make sure the wind will not blow the torch out.

The zipwire was in place by 1.30pm and a test run was carried out with 100kilos of rubber blocks. Bear Grylls stunt and safety co-ordinator and zip wire experts then carried out a number of test runs to make sure everything will run smoothly and to time tomorrow evening.

Bear Grylls is due to make the spectacular crossing at 7.05 pm on Friday evening.