A TOWN centre road in Blackburn will be closed for five days due to an unsafe manhole.

United Utilities are on site to repair a damaged clean water chamber, requiring the engineers to dig up concrete before being able to complete the repair.

Darwen Street, Blackburn, was closed yesterday and will remain closed from Jubilee Street to George Street for about five days.

People are being asked to use St Peter Street and Wainwright Way as a diversion.

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen council said: "Due to an unsafe manhole, United Utilities need to close Darwen Street between Jubilee Street and George Street.

"This closure will be in effect from today for approximately 5 days. Through traffic should use St Peter Street and Wainwright Way.

"Apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause."

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “Our engineers are currently on site at Darwen Street, Blackburn repairing a damaged clean water chamber which houses a pressure management valve.

“This is a complicated repair due to the size of the chamber and the fact that it is made of concrete which must be dug out then repoured to allow the repair to be completed.”