A MAIN road near an East Dorset village has had to close for “urgent tree maintenance”.

Dorset Council has apologised for the closure of the B3081, Verwood Road, describing it as “unavoidable”.

Councillor Simon Gibson, Dorset Council’s lead member for highways said: “We appreciate this road closure is going to cause inconvenience for residents and businesses around Verwood over the half term holiday, but the trees along this stretch of road need urgent attention and people’s safety must come first.

“Our intention is always to spread roadworks out to prevent gridlock, but due to the nature of the work that needs to take place urgently in this area, it is unavoidable.

"We apologise to residents and businesses of Verwood for inconvenience caused and for the short notice of the road closure.”