The world's first bamboo bridge solid enough for 8-ton lorries to cross will open next month in Laiyang, Hunan Province.

The 10 m bamboo structure is able to withstand loads of more than 90 tons. It is 3.5 m wide.

The bridge was designed by Chinese and foreign experts and should be in operation for more than 20 years.

Laiyang is known as "Bamboo City" so the bridge is a good fit. It is environmentally friendly and costs less than half that of a similar-sized bridge made of reinforced concrete.