The world's largest solar bridge has opened in the UK.

Situated at Blackfriars station in London, the structure contains 4,400 photovoltaic panels and is anticipated to cut CO2 emissions by 511 tonnes per year.

The bridge is part of Network Rail's £6.5 billion investment into the Thameslink programme and will provide half the energy needed by the station. To celebrate the opening, commuters at Blackfriars were given free cups of tea, drawn from a giant teacup that measured 3.1 metres in height.

David Statham, managing director of First Capital Connect, commented: "Electric trains are already the greenest form of public transport and this roof gives our passengers an even more sustainable journey."

The Thameslink programme aims to greatly increase capacity on one of the busiest rail networks in Europe. It will do this by opening new stations, operating longer trains and increasing the frequency of services running on the line.