A Cotswolds road that re-opened earlier this year has been closed for 'safety reasons'.

The old A40 that links villages including Compton Abdale and Hazleton to Northleach closed after a wall collapsed and cracks appeared on the carriageway.

Highways crews carried out road repairs that included reconstructing the carriageway, drainage work, fencing, lining and new signage.

However, following the recent downpours, the existing cracks have worsened forcing Gloucestershire Highways to close the road.

Highways service manager Mark Darlow-Joy said: "Our recent inspection of Prison Copse Wall (The old A40) near Northleach found that the existing cracks in the retaining wall were much worse, likely to have been caused by the recent heavy rain storms.

"As a result we have had to close the road because of safety concerns.

"We are looking at what we can do to stabilise the road and make it safe for future use, however we expect the road to be closed for some time.

"We would like to thank the public for their understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

GCC Lib Dem leader Cllr Paul Hodgkinson added: "After so much effort to get this road reopened it’s very frustrating to see it closed again.

"Highways needs to give a definite timetable for it to be opened again."