The long-awaited bypass at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, officially opened on Wednesday.

Work on the �56m dual carriageway on the A43 in Northamptonshire began in February last year, but suffered from delays.

It was opened by Northamptonshire County council chairman Mrs Pat Cass.

Foot-and-mouth The road has been partially open for almost two weeks, as traffic has been allowed to use one lane in each direction.

However, the official opening comes several weeks later than originally planned.

A spokesman for Costaine and Skanska said the early stages of the project had been delayed by the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Silverstone as home of the British Grand Prix was under threat two years ago because the infrastructure could not cope with visitor numbers.