Motorists are being advised that new road systems will be put in place for next week's Cheltenham Festival in a move aimed at minimising traffic congestion.

Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucestershire Police and Gloucestershire County Council want to ensure that traffic going to and from the festival is managed as efficiently as possible around the town.

Traffic orders will be in place on Evesham Road, Tommy Taylors lane, Kayte Lane, New Barn Lane, Southam Lane, Cleevelands Avenue, Cleevelands Drive, Paddocks Lane, Albert Road, Voxwell Lane and Hillcourt Road.

There will also be a number of one-way systems in place on sections of London Road, Old Bath Road and Evesham Road to help keep the traffic flowing.

To encourage shoppers into the town, the council is offering free parking in many of its car parks next week.

Licensing and police officers will be out every night during the week to carry out premises and licensed vehicle inspections to ensure they are not breaching conditions.

Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety, said: ''We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable time throughout the festival.

"Cheltenham welcomes an incredible amount of visitors to the town during race week so it remains a top priority for us to work closely with our partners to make sure everything goes smoothly.

''This year the council has even more powers to clamp down on littering, ticket touting and consumption of alcohol so our enforcement officers will be out all hours of the day and night to monitor activity and visit venues.''

For the first time, anybody who will be distributing free promotional material, including fliers, newspapers, stickers, scarfs and hats, during Festival week must apply for a permit to do so.

Also for the first time, the council in partnership with the police will be cracking down on ticket touts offering for sale race tickets on public land.

The council will also be stepping up checks with street trading, public consumption of alcohol, licensed venues and taxi activity.

There will be additional signage around the town centre to help direct people to taxis, buses and toilet facilities; and additional toilets will also be available.

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