A12 roadworks will remain for two months longer than originally planned because the road is in such a poor condition.

Resurfacing work is taking place on the A12 between Essex and Ipswich.

It started in December and was due to be completed by the end of March.

This has been pushed back to the end of May by the Highways Agency.

Project Manager Anna Graham said: "The improvements will finish later than anticipated because of the weather and additional work which we didn’t anticipate.

“We found the road was in a worse state of repair than originally thought, so we have had to plan out more to compensate.

“We apologise for the delay and I’d like to thank drivers for their patience while this work continues and ask drivers to take care travelling through the roadworks and adhere to the 40mph speed limit.”

Work is currently taking place near Ipswich and Brentwood.

Night closures and diversions will be put in place between Copdock and the Four Sisters Interchage north of Colchester.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "At junctions 33-31 the current phase of work is due to be completed by Monday, March 9, when the contraflow will switch to the northbound carriageway.

"This work will require overnight closures for four nights, two nights in each direction.

"The closures will take place overnight from between 9pm and 5am. Following the closures resurfacing of the northbound carriageway can begin."

The work will delay motorists travelling southbound from Colchester to London and northbound from Colchester to Ipswich.