Highways England has issued important advice for motorists ahead of the Cheltenham Festival next week.

It is advising drivers using the M5 in Gloucestershire to plan ahead and allow extra travelling time during the big horseracing fixture, which is worth around £50million to the Cheltenham economy.

Nearly 250,000 people are expected to attend the four-day event, which starts on Tuesday, including 70,000 for the showpiece race, the Gold Cup, next Friday.

The busiest times on the roads are expected to be between 9.30am until 12.30pm each day, according to Highways England,  though local roads around the racecourse will be busier than usual in late afternoon and early evening too as racegoers head home.

Gareth Price, Highways England emergency planning officer for the South West, said: "Junctions 10 and 11 of the M5 are likely to be busy on these days, particularly Friday, 17 March.

"Our aim is to keep the Highways England network running whilst keeping road users safe and informed.

"We advise all drivers to check our traffic and travel information channels, set off early and allow plenty of time for their journeys."

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