POLICE and race organisers are gearing up to ensure the safety of spectators and runners in a North-East road race tonight.

More than 3,500 people will take part in the 24th annual Nike Blaydon Race.

The race, organised by Blaydon Harriers, will start at 7pm at the junction of Collingwood Street and St Nicholas Street, Newcastle.

The finish line will be 5.7 miles away at the Blaydon Shopping Precinct, in Gates-head.

Police will close roads in the city centre for approximately 25 minutes from 6.50pm, and drivers are advised to avoid the route where possible.

Roads affected are: Moseley Street, Collingwood Street, Westgate Road, Clayton Street West, Westmorland Road, Marlborough Crescent, Railway Street and Plummer Street.

From 7.15pm to 8.15pm, Shibdon Road, in Blaydon, will be closed to traffic from east of Blaydon Bank to Lucy Street.

Drivers are also being warned to avoid Neville Street and the High Level Bridge areas.

Police will also need to control traffic to allow competitors to run safely along Scotswood Road, Scotswood Bridge, Scotswood View, Toll Bridge Road, Chainbridge Road, and Shibdon Road to the precinct car park.