CAMBRIDGESHIRE residents are being urged to pick up their phones and vote for a new foot and cycle bridge for St Neots. Telephone voting has opened in what will be the UK s largest lottery award decided by the public. As part of the Big Lottery Fund s T

CAMBRIDGESHIRE residents are being urged to pick up their phones and vote for a new foot and cycle bridge for St Neots.

Telephone voting has opened in what will be the UK's largest lottery award decided by the public.

As part of the Big Lottery Fund's The People's £50 Million contest four projects will go head-to-head in a bid to win a massive grant.

The public can vote by phone until noon on Monday (December 10) with the winning project being announced on ITV1 on Wednesday (December 12).

If enough people vote for the St Neots project the cash would pay for a new cycle and foot bridge over the River Great Ouse linking Eaton Socon and Eynesbury.

But to secure the cash people need to get voting for the Connect2 project, an initiative organised by the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans by phoning 0870 2424602 or pledging their support online at www.thepeoples50million.org.uk.

Cllr Bob Eaton, town mayor, said it is time for St Neots to pull together and help secure funding for the bridge.

"I think it is a good idea," he said. "It is very much needed in the town and I would urge residents to vote for it."

The project, which is part of a larger scheme to improve cycle ways in 79 areas of the country, will be up against three other applications.

One would allow the Eden Project to increase its green credentials through solar technology and recycling of rain water. The third would invest the money in protecting and enhancing Sherwood Forest, and the fourth would create the Black Country Urban Park.

However, as the Connect2 scheme has 79 projects in the UK, it is hoped the money could be heading its way and on to St Neots but only if you vote.

INFORMATION: To vote for the St Neots project phone 0870 2424602. For more details or to vote for one of the other projects visit www.thepeoples50million.org.uk

There will be a maximum call charge of 10p from a BT landline but calls from mobiles and other operators may be higher. For terms and conditions visit itv.com/terms