SIX months of building work on the A66 Darlington bypass begins today.

A roundabout will be built on the A66 between A1150 Little Burdon and A67 Morton Palms roundabout.

It will be finished in December and will connect the new Eastern Transport Corridor to the trunk road system.

Most of the work will be carried out during the day, but some overnight closures are expected.

Diversions will be signed and publicised. A 30mph speed limit will be in place in the area.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "Motorists are urged to take particular care while driving through the works and to obey all traffic signs and speed limits."

The 1.8-mile Eastern Transport Corridor will eventually link Haughton Road to the A66. The aim is to cut congestion in Haughton Road, McMullen Road and Yarm Road. A cycleway, footpath and bridleway will run alongside.

The project will cost at least £12.5m.