IT IS Scotland's most famous never-ending task, but painting the Forth Bridge is to be completed sooner than expected, The Scotsman has learned. Painters are now due to finish coating the structure in just two years' time – a year ahead of schedule.

They are applying special paint which should last for up to 30 years – and enable the enduring myth that the bridge is ceaselessly painted from end to end to be finally laid to rest. Network Rail, which owns the 119-year-old crossing, said better-than-expected progress had brought forward the completion date to 2011.

It is known as the never-ending job. But, by Christmas, the Forth Bridge will be painted - and won't need another coat for up to 40 years. A 10-year project to recoat the Scottish icon is due to end shortly, a year ahead of schedule, it was revealed on Sunday.

Restoration work on the bridge, which is used by up to 200 trains every day, has been ongoing since 2002. Up to 200 painters have been working on the structure at a time. The bridge is 120 years old, but has needed constant maintenance work, with painters reaching one end - then going back to start again from the other side of the Forth.

Bolton-based Leighs Paints said there was a 25-year warranty of no rust, but the paint job could last for up to 40 years. The company is now working on the Olympics site in London.

The painting of the Forth Bridge has finally been completed and the structure is now scaffold-free for the first time in a decade. The repair and repainting project to paint the rail bridge took 10 years and cost £130m.

It has been claimed it will not now need another paint job for at least 25 years. New techniques and products are behind the project's success. A 400-strong team applied a triple layer of new glass flake epoxy paint.