MORE than 6000 names have been suggested for the Forth Replacement Crossing during a public consultation.

An expert panel has been tasked with coming up with a shortlist of around five names for the £1.6 billion bridge, which is due to open to traffic at the end of 2016.

These will be put to a public vote in May, with names suggested so far including Forth, Queen, Fife and Gateway as well as references to a number of famous Scots. The number of entries has doubled this month, with the consultation finishing yesterday.

The panel consists of Scottish Youth Parliament members among others.