A SINKHOLE appeared on a busy Wirral road.

Part of Tollemache Road in Birkenhead collapsed late on Tuesday night, leaving a large gap in the centre of the road.

Contractors were sent out to investigate after the council received a number of calls.

Barriers were put up around the gap while United Utilities visited the site on Wednesday.

A spokesman for Wirral Council said: "The road at Tollemache Road/St James Road, Birkenhead, has now re-opened after safety checks at a small area of carriageway subsidence.

"We received the call last night and our contractor attended at around 10pm.  The road was closed for a short time while safety checks and works were undertaken. The road is now open with barriers around the subsidence."

The hole was filled in on Wednesday afternoon after United Utilities inspected the area and found no problems with the sewers.

However, a spokesman for Wirral Council said that further investigation will need to take place on Thursday.

He said: "The road is open now but we are going to be going back after the school run on Thursday to investigate further.

"Any further course of action will depend on what is found."

Tollemache Road is expected to be closed from 9.30am to 3pm on Thursday.