Fancy nipping to Sainsbury's in Cheltenham for a pint of milk one evening next week - well be prepared to suffer a 16mile diversion.

Gloucestershire County Council have announced that a half-mile stretch of the A4019 between the Princess Elizabeth Way roundabout and the Hayden Road traffic lights is being resurfaced.

The section of road runs alongside two of Cheltenham's busiest retail parks: Kingsditch Retail Park and the Gallagher Retail Park, the home of the town's Sainsbury's superstore.

The work will mean the small section of road will be closed during evenings and overnight between 7pm and 7am from Tuesday, April 30 to Tuesday, May 14.

The council say that the overnight work will minimise disruption on a busy section of commuter road that links Cheltenham and the northbound M5 Mortorway.

But they didn't think about minimising disruption when publishing details of the official diversion route - one that weighs in at a staggering 16 miles.

Instead of a one-minute journey down a straight road, "a diversion suitable for all type of vehicles" takes you via Princess Elizabeth Way, Coronation Square and down the A40 to Gloucester.

You can give a hearty wave to the Cathedral before hanging a right down the A38 driving two thirds of the way to Tewkesbury and then another right at Coombe Hill to rejoin the A4019.

Or perhaps you use your brain and find another far easier diversion - or not bother going for that pint of milk at all.

On a serious note, the route is in bad need of resurfacing and the council are promising a "quicker, safer and altogether more pleasant journey in to Cheltenham" as a result of the work.

The road will remain open at peak times and during weekends and the May Day Bank Holiday Monday.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We're resurfacing this popular route which forms part of our £150 million investment to keep Gloucestershire moving.

"These works will have a major benefit to local residents as well as be a great contribution to this area of Cheltenham.

"I would like to reassure road users that by resurfacing the road overnight, we will keep disruption to a minimum and reduce potential delays."

Cllr Bernard Fisher, county councillor for St Paul's and Swindon, said: "I've been calling on the county council to complete this work for some time.

"I welcome these improvements and ask that road users please bear with the highways team while they carry out this essential work."