OXTON Road in Birkenhead is currently closed to motorists because of emergency repairs after a gas leak.

The road is closed at its junction of Balls Road past Yates's Castle Brewery and is expected to remain closed until later in the week.

Traffic is being diverted via Grange Road West, Westbourne Road and Alfred Road.

A National Grid spokesman told the Globe: "The gas escape was caused by a contractor from another firm who was doing some work and damaged a pipe. It's what we call third-party damage.

"Escaping gas outside a property is not as serious a risk as a leak inside a house, because it thins as it rises into the air, but obviously we are working as quickly as we can to repair the damage and stop the leak."