OFFENSIVE graffiti daubed on a bridge over a main route is to be cleaned up tomorrow.

A two-hour operation to clean up the bridge on North Road, a well-known landmark on the road from Chester-le-Street to Birtley, is to start at 9.30am.

In 1995, the bridge was re-painted with three St Cuthbert’s crosses on each side of the bridge, but it has recently become the target of vandals.

Sustrans, owners of the bridge, will pay for a cherry-picker while staff from Durham County Council’s neighbourhood services team will carry out the work and two-way traffic lights will be in operation throughout the morning.

Ian Hoult, from Durham County Council, said: "Durham County Council is committed to improving the environment for visitors and residents of Chester-le-Street, and action taken to remove graffiti from this prominent structure is an indication of its determination to deal with anti-social behaviour."

David Gray, maintenance manager with Sustrans added: "This is a community problem that has a wide impact on the local area so we're co-operating proactively with Durham County Council to resolve this issue."