RESURFACING work to improve safety on the M61 southbound carriageway at junctions five to six, near Bolton, begins later this month.

The work will be carried out during the weekend and overnight to minimise disruption.

It starts on Friday, August 20 at 9pm and continues until Saturday, August 21, at 7.30am and then again at 9pm on Saturday, August 21, until 7.30am on Sunday, August 22.

The second phase begins at 9pm on Friday, September 3, and continues overnight, starting again at 9pm on Saturday, September 4.

No diversion is necessary as traffic will be directed to the hard shoulder on the southbound carriageway.

Highways Agency project manager Colin Robinson said: "This scheme is necessary to maintain safety standards along this busy stretch of road and we will use low-noise materials which improve skid resistance and safety.