A major dual carriageway will be closed for 11 nights affecting thousands of drivers next month while road works are carried out.

The A299 Thanet Way between Brenley Corner and Whitstable will shut for resurfacing works, Kent County Council has announced.

The five-mile stretch will be closed from March 19 "for up to 11 nights" from junction 7 of the M2 to the Clapham Hill junction at Wraik Hill.

Work is being carried out on both carriageways but only one direction at a time will be closed.

The Londonbound carriageway will take 11 nights with the coastbound carriageway works taking six nights, including weekends.

Kent Highways, the council's road department, say the exact timings of the closures have not been confirmed and will vary depending on the progress of the works.

But the council said signs located by the roadside will alert drivers of the days and times when each section is shut.

Highway chiefs warned the closure - from 8pm to 6am - will force drivers to use a diversion adding an extra six miles to their journey through Canterbury.

Drivers will be diverted along the A2 to Harbledown and into the city before joining up with St Thomas' Hill and heading past the University of Kent campus through Blean to rejoin the Thanet Way.

The closure to the Thanet Way will allow the works to be carried out safely for the workforce and road users, KCC says.

A notice from Kent Highways says: "These works are part of an extensive resurfacing programme which is subject to weather and other factors that may potentially cause changes at short notice.

"Every effort will be made to keep as close as possible to the planned dates and any changes will be publicised.

"It is inevitable that residents and businesses near the works will experience some disruption and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused, but we will try to keep this to a minimum.

"Restricted access to residential properties and all businesses up to the closure point, will be available, when safe to do so, but if you have any access needs, please let the workforce on site know."

The department also warns that slip roads on and off the Thanet Way will be closed as the work progresses and signs will direct drivers to the main diversion.