Two heavy loads will take to the road next week as two new transformers are moved from the Port of Dover to Sellindge substation, near Ashford.

It is being organised by National Grid and the first transformer will leave Dover at approximately 9pm on Thursday, January 3.

It is expected to arrive at Sellindge substation by 7am on Friday, January 4.

The second will leave Dover on Monday, January 7 and arrive at Sellindge substation on the morning of Tuesday, January 8.

A transformer is apparatus for reducing or increasing the voltage of an alternating current and to keep disruption to a minimum, they will be moved overnight.

The equipment, which weighs in at 318 tonnes for each transformer – approximately the weight of six adult blue whales – will be installed to supply safe and secure electricity to homes and businesses across the south east.

Substation equipment such as transformers need to be replaced and maintained to keep substations working efficiently, and new transformers are also installed to connect new sources of generation or when demand for electricity is growing.

Phil Billington, National Grid project engineer said: "Millions of people rely on us to supply their electricity without interruption, day in, day out and so it’s important that we keep our substations and the equipment in them working efficiently.

"We’ve planned every detail of the transformer deliveries to make sure we minimise disruption to local people.”

Each transformer will be carried on a special vehicle measuring 87 metres long and 5.8 metres wide.

Their size means that they need two trucks, one at the back and one at the front, to propel them, travelling at around 12 mph.

Both transformers will exit the Port of Dover at Union Street and will travel along the A20 to the Alkham Valley Road junction, A260 Canterbury Road.

They will then continue along the A259 Churchill Avenue to access the M20 at junction 13.

Each load will exit the M20 at junction 9, and re-join it to travel back to junction 10 due to a weight restriction at this junction.

The transformers will then leave the M20 at junction 10, travelling along the A20 and Church Lane before reaching Sellindge substation.