Photographs have been released of the iconic Orwell Bridge taken at unusual angles taken by maintenance contractors.

The images feature plucky National Highways workers abseiling down the piers of the 43m (141ft high structure.

Work on the survey began in August, but the bridge mostly did not need to be closed, avoiding any disruption. 

The final phase took place overnight for two weeks, where one carriageway was closed at a time, and was completed in the early hours of Saturday.

National Highways contractors scaled the equivalent of four miles (six km) while the pictures were captured. 

The bridge spans the Orwell Estuary and was constructed between 1979 and 1982.

The survey was originally pushed back to avoid disturbing nesting falcons, who had made their home on the bridge earlier in the year

The main arch is 190m (623ft) long, which, at the time of its construction, was the largest of its kind in use.

It rests on 40m (131ft) of pilings into the river bottom and is 43m (141ft) tall.