A MODEL bridge builder who made a 2ft version of the wobbly Millennium Bridge was among thousands invited to test out the new suspension of the real thing.

Frank Peters, 66, of Knockhall Road, Greenhithe, was one of 2,000 people invited on January 30 to give his seal of approval for its suspension mechanism, designed by Sir Norman Foster.

Retired Mr Peters has also made models of London Bridge, the London Eye, the Titanic and the Royal yacht Britannia.

All of them have been made out of recyclable materials.

The £18.2m bridge, which has a 350m span, opened in June 2000, with 100,000 people crossing it on the first day.

But it had to be closed after two days because it was swinging from side to side by 70mm.

Mr Peters who met the Mayoress of Southwark, said: "I never expected an invitation to the test run.

"When I went down there I was chuffed. It was really beautiful at night. The views were brilliant, especially with the bridge leading up to St Paul's all lit up at night.

"It was just like my model, which had floodlighting as well.

"It didn't wobble at all."

Arup Engineers spent £5m trying to stop the bridge from wobbling by fixing 90 shock absorbers on the structure.

Mr Peters added: "It was fascinating to meet the people involved in making the bridge.

"I hope to work on a model of the Jubilee Bridge, if it ever gets the go-ahead.

"The design is absolutely fantastic. Each of the pillars is a diamond shape."

A spokesman for Arup said: "The results of the test run will be analysed by us, as well as independently, to see if any adjustments need to be made to the shock absorbers.

"No definite date has been set for the opening of the bridge, but we've got our fingers crossed."