POLICE are warning motorists of "significant delays" on Somerset's roads on Sunday, when a 145-tonne boiler is moved to a paper mill in Watchet.

The 100ft-long boiler, which is 16ft high and 16ft wide, will start its journey at 9am, from Sedgemoor Services on the M5.

It will leave the motorway at junction 24 for Bridgwater south, heading onto the A38, towards Bridgwater, and turning left onto the A39 Broadway.

It will continue along the A39 through Williton to Washford Cross, where it will turn right onto the B3190 and into the paper mill.

A police spokesman said: "Throughout the journey the load will be escorted by police.

"It is not known how long it will take but it could take up to seven hours to complete the move.

"During the move there are likely to be significant tailbacks and motorists are advised to avoid the area and to use an alternative route if possible – including the A358 which is suitable for vehicles under 4.2m (13'9") tall.

"The width and length of the load will mean that it will take up most of the road and there are very few safe places to pull the load over to allow traffic to clear.

"The nature of this load and the difficulty of the route mean that this load cannot be moved during the hours of darkness."