A MAJOR refurbishment of a North-East bridge is to get under way next month.

The work on Sunderland's Wearmouth Bridge will start on Saturday, May 25, and will entail the bridge being painted for the first time in 11 years.

The bridge deck will be waterproofed with materials that should last for 20 years.

Sunderland City Council has consulted English Heritage, which has agreed that the grade II listed structure should be repainted in the same shade of green as it was in 1991.

From the start of the work until the end of August, traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction while the bridge deck is waterproofed.

Painting will be carried out above the road within enclosed scaffolding.

The painting will take place from the end of August until the end of October, but traffic will be able to use both lanes in each direction.

All work above the bridge should be completed, and traffic restrictions lifted, by the end of October.

Painting below the bridge is planned to continue until late February, but this will not affect traffic or pedestrians.

Andy Morris, the council's assistant director of environment, said: "Other than planned overnight closures of the bridge to vehicles, which will allow for the safe erection and removal of scaffolding over the road, the bridge will remain open to traffic and pedestrians throughout the maintenance programme.

"The overnight closures will be between 11.30pm and 5am and will be advertised in advance."

Signs warning motorists of the start of the work are due to be out on roads this week.