A new bypass around an Essex village will open three months ahead of schedule on Tuesday.

The dual carriageway around Great Leighs has taken 20 months to build and has cost �22m.

Planners at Essex County Council hope the three-mile stretch of road will benefit not only the residents of the village but also drivers on the A131 between Braintree and Chelmsford.

The bypass starts south of the newly-constructed Deres Bridge roundabout and ends just after Great Notley.

Councillor Ron Williams, cabinet member for Highways and Transportation at Essex County Council, said: "This is another improvement to the Essex road network and will provide relief to the local community."