ROAD closures will be in force in Durham City centre this weekend, while derelict buildings are demolished.

Extra parking spaces will be freed up for the pre-Christmas period by the demolition of buildings in Freeman's Place.

To ensure the work proceeds safely, a 55-metre section of Walkergate, from its junction with Back Silver Street, will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

The No Entry restriction from Walkergate on to Leazes Road will be temporarily suspended at Milburngate Bridge, although a No Right Turn instruction will be in place for vehicles pulling on to Leazes Road.

Both the nearside eastbound lane of Leazes Road and the Claypath slip road will be closed.

The work will not affect a free rush hour park-and-ride service, introduced by Durham County Council, in partnership with the city council and the Durham City Forum, which begins on Saturday.

It aims to encourage all-day parkers to avoid using the limited space available in the city centre by leaving their vehicles at County Hall car park.

Demolition work removing derelict former factory buildings in Freeman's Place will allow an extra 100 car parking spaces to be made available for the Christmas period.