A COUNTRY road will be closed and a diversion in place from next week to allow bridge strengthening work to be carried out to meet European regulations.

Work begins on the C11 at Wardles Bridge, Edmondsley, near Chester-le-Street, to bring it into line with recent safety standards and enable it to carry 40-tonne lorries.

A reinforced concrete saddle will be put over the brick arch during work, which is expected to last for eight weeks.

Service Direct, the county council's construction arm, will carry out the contract.

IThe work is part of an on-going programme of bridge strengthening to enable the county's bridges to carry Euro lorries.