TRAFFIC lights failed after they were hit by a van, causing rush-hour delays last night.

Queues of vehicles trailed back southwards on the A177 at Durham as far south as Shincliffe, after the lights failure at the New Inn crossroads, at the junction of Stockton and South roads. Police said a catering van travelling north toward the city centre appeared to lose control and struck the lights at the crossroads at about 3.30pm.

County council engineers were called to the scene to carry out repairs to the lights, but an authority spokesman said they could be out of action until today.

Police officers had to resort to manual signalling to control traffic, which built up in all directions during the late afternoon rush-hour.