Drivers are being warned to expected delays on the M5 during this week's Cheltenham Festival.

The festival begins tomorrow (Tuesday, March 12) and finishes with the Gold Cup on Friday.

Highways England is advising drivers to plan ahead and allow extra travelling time as more than 200,000 are expected to attend throughout the week.

Friday is set to be the busiest as more than 65,000 people could descend on the racecourse.

The busiest times on the roads are expected to be between 9.30am and12.30pm each day.

There is the potential for delays on the M5 between junctions 9 and 11, on the A40 west of junction 11 and on the A46 east of junction 9.

Highways England has lifted roadworks on the A40 Golden Valley flyover for the duration of the festival, with traffic management set to be reinstalled the following week.

Gareth Price, Highways England emergency planning officer and events planner for the South West, said: “Junctions 10 and 11 of the M5 are likely to be busy on these days, particularly Friday, 15 March.

“We advise all drivers to set off early and allow plenty of time for their journeys."