The longest serving painter on the Forth Road Bridge has earned a well-earned cup of tea after giving the 50 year old landmark a lick of paint.

Alex Rennie, who has been working on the bridge for the past 37 years, is looking forward to next week, when it celebrates the milestone.

Over the past six weeks, a total of 2014 visitor trips have been made to the top of the 500ft high structure.

The Queen officially opened what was then Europe's longest suspension bridge providing a road link from Edinburgh through to Perth on September 4 1964.

On Saturday, September 13, torch-bearers will form a river of fire across the bridge to Fife. They will then return to a giant "Bridge Party" to celebrate the anniversary in South Queensferry.

Party-goers will enjoy an exciting programme of live music headlined by Big Country and guests Bwani Junction, who last year famously performed at the top of one of the bridge's towers.