The bypass will take traffic away from the village of Lamberhurst

The new road steering traffic away from Lamberhurst is due to open this autumn after a wait of more than 20 years.

As part of improvements to the A21 from Pembury to Hastings, construction teams had to divert the River Teise.

People living in the village will be heralding its arrival on Saturday by racing soapboxes along the bypass and holding a fete.

Hopefully Lamberhurst will become a quiet little village again Clive Scott

The theme for the event is transport through the ages, and it will include a procession of floats, cars and other forms of transport through the village.

Side shows and live bands will complete the day's celebrations.

Organiser Clive Scott said residents had had to put up with the village being virtually split in half because the A21 was often clogged with traffic.

"Hopefully Lamberhurst will become a quiet little village again," he said.