OVERNIGHT work is being carried out on the £12million Freckleton Street bridge in Blackburn to avoid disruption to train services.

Some of the work can only be done when the railway is closed so the team are working through the night.

Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses said the bridge, a crucial link in Blackburn's planned orbital route, is still on course for completion next summer.

The bridge's construction team have been lifting beams and cross beams and bolting them together.

The next stage will see the main section of the bridge slid into place and the arches will then go up up.

The final piece of the route to be completed will be the £4million section of road that will link the bridge to Montague Street, which is not due to finish until at least 2009.

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration, said: "The arches are a feature that will be hard to miss for local people and visitors.

"As well as improving travel around the borough, Freckleton Street Bridge will be an impressive new landmark."