A Sittingbourne town centre road is to remain shut for an extra week and a diversion route will be altered after lorries got stuck, say regeneration project managers.

Milton Road has been closed since July 24 and was due to reopen next week.

However, the Spirit of Sittingbourne, the consortium in charge of the town's multi-million pound transformation, says there has been a delay.

"Milton Road will remain closed for at least one more week than planned," said its statement.

"This is due to the conditions of the road, the amount of plant underneath it and the requirement to have Network Rail representatives on site. The works will be completed before the new school term at the latest."

It also plans to adjust diversion arrangements in nearby St Michael's Road and Station Road after HGVs struggled to negotiate the route.

A spirit spokesman said: "Regular vehicles are able to take a left turn through the bus breakthrough onto the A2 but this will be improved to accommodate larger vehicles, such as HGVs, which currently travel down Station Street until they can safely turn onto their preferred route."

A lorry was spotted yesterday afternoon struggling to take the tight left-turn from St Michael's Road into Station Street, by The Forum.

It then could not squeeze past buses and had to simply stop with its hazard lights on.

Spirit says the first phase of roadworks is due to be completed by November 20.