TWO councils have clashed over naming the first new bridge across the River Forth in 70 years.

Clackmannanshire and Fife are both vying to bestow the title on the second crossing at Kincardine.

Fife Council wants it to be called Kingdom Bridge but Clackmannanshire councillors are campaigning for it to be named after their authority.

The GBP120m bridge across the Forth is being built to relieve congestion for road users. Traffic heading for Fife will use the original Kincardine Bridge while vehicles going to Clackmannanshire will use the new crossing, due to be completed in 2008.

Clackmannanshire Council said Clackmannanshire Bridge should be favoured as travellers are greeted with beautiful views of the area. But Fife Council said it should be named Kingdom Bridge as Kincardine is in Fife.

Both local authorities said the bridge would benefit their economies. Fife Council is now writing to First Minister Jack McConnell to recommend its choice be approved.

Anne McGovern, leader of Fife Council, said: "Kincardine is in Fife. The bridge is in Fife and it is going to make a huge difference to the local environment and economy of Fife. I therefore wholeheartedly support the motion its name should ref lect this strong link."

William Ferguson, Fife's councillor for Kincardine, Culross and LowValleyfield, said: "Local people fought long and hard for this bridge and it is a fitting tribute to their determination and foresight that it is now being built."

On the other side, a letter to Fife Council, signed by senior Clackmannanshire councillors, stated: "While undoubtedly the new bridge will make a huge difference to Kincardine, our hopes and ambitions for the bridge are far higher.

"It will be a godsend to Clackmannanshire. Our infrastructure difficulties are well known to councillors in Fife but the bridge could be the making of our small county."

The Scottish Executive will have the final say on the title.

The scheme will also create almost nine miles of trunk road, side road and cycle pathways, allowing traffic to bypass Kincardine. Around 16,500 vehicles passing through the village each day and this is estimated to drop to 2800 when the crossing is completed.

Meanwhile, early findings from reports commissioned by Labour indicate a replacement crossing is required for the Forth Road Bridge.

A Scottish Executive spokesman said last night: "The Transport Ministerwas briefed this week on the emerging findings of work he initiated on the Firth of Forth crossing.

"The First Minister has therefore asked for a report to be brought to cabinet. This will cover the new information on options for a replacement crossing, an up-to-date technical assessment on the existing bridge and the further work on financing a replacement crossing."