Roads across the Ashby area will be treated across June and July to help reduce the chance of potholes developing.

Leicestershire County Council will carry out this preventative maintenance on the equivalent of 75 football pitches worth of road across the county over the coming months.

The works, known as surface dressing, provide the roads with an additional protective layer by sealing the surface with bitumen and stone chippings.

The new layer prevents water and air penetrating the tarmac underneath, preventing potholes, while the stone chippings increase the texture of the road surface.

The process also adds anti-skid qualities to the road, increasing road safety.

Councillor Maggie Wright, deputy cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Our surface dressing programme is remarkable in the value for money it provides and the improvements to the road networks it offers.

"By taking preventative measures now we can avoid problems on the road in the future, saving the taxpayer money whilst keeping Leicestershire moving and making our roads safer too".

With more than 2,575 miles of road to maintain across the county, this effort to tackle problems on the roads before they form can reduce reactive maintenance and save money.

Surface dressing is up to 10 times more cost effective than conventional resurfacing, helping to maintain a high-quality road network. The work, which is completed every summer, will be carried out across several months to reduce the impact on motorists.

The work is dependent on acceptable road temperatures and dry weather for the process to fully take effect.

It is hoped that all surface dressing will be completed by September and road users are being thanked for their patience with necessary roadworks.

Any areas that cannot be completed because of the weather will be added to next season's programme. Residents and businesses will be notified prior to work commencing.

Locations will include:

June: Packington, Normanton le Heath, Heather, Moira, Measham, Appleby Magna, Appleby Parva, Ravenstone, Lount, Worthington, Breedon on the Hill.

July: Appleby Magna, Acresford, Stretton en le Field, Ashby de la Zouch, Moira,