POLICE are warning motorists to steer clear of Sedgefield village today.

The Shrove Tuesday ball game, which has taken place in the village for almost 1,000 years, gets under way at about 1pm.

Hundreds of local people will be taking part in the event as it makes its way through the village greens and streets for most of the afternoon.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "Motorists are strongly advised to delay their journey or find another route."

Roads remain open to traffic, but police will be placing warning signs on roads leading into the village.

There will be a discreet police presence around the area throughout the day.

A village elder will start the game at 1pm by passing the ball three times through the bullring on the village green.

Villagers will then battle for a kick of the ball, before it is whisked away to the other end of the village.

The game ends when someone manages to return the ball to the bullring.

There will be a parade of former champions at the Hardwick Arms pub about half an hour before the kick-off.