A LARGE traveller funeral is expected to cause delays on the roads of Warrington on Tuesday afternoon.

The funeral will take place in St Helens in the morning and will pass through Warrington before heading to Preston.

Council bosses are expecting a large number of vehicles in the procession which is due to arrive in Warrington around 1pm.

Cheshire Police escorts will travel with the cortege from junction eight of the M62 and accompany it along Charon Way, Europa Boulevard, Cromwell Avenue, Winwick Road, Long Lane, Orford Green, Orford Road and King Edward Street before turning right into Manchester Road.

A council spokesman said once the cortege arrives at Manchester Road it will stop for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

The road will be closed from King Edward Street to Padgate Lane. Access will be maintained for residents and local businesses during this time although pubs have been told to close. A diversion route for westbound traffic on Manchester Road will be via Kingsway, Farrell Street, Church Street, Fennel Street and Brick Street. Eastbound traffic will be diverted along Padgate Lane and King Edward Street.

After this pause the cortege will then travel along Manchester Road to Cockhedge island and return back down Manchester Road stopping at Bibby Avenue.

Council bosses are warning drivers to use alternative routes and say the timings could change.