PART of the M4 will be closed in both directions over much of the weekend while another bridge is demolished.

The Old Slade Lane bridge is the latest casualty of the project to build a smart motorway between junctions 3 and 12 with an extra lane each way. A new, wider bridge will be built at a later date.

The closure between junction 4b for the M25 and junction 5 for Langley will last from 8pm on Friday until 6am on Sunday.

The M4 will reopen to clear the way for traffic travelling to and from the Six Nations rugby match at Twickenham.

Long distance traffic will be directed via the M25, M3 and M40 during the closure, with drivers heading for more nearby destinations following local diversions.

All diversions will be clearly signed but some delays are expected and drivers are advised to plan ahead, leave extra time for their journeys and consider alternative routes if possible.

The M4 will be closed again in both directions between junctions 3 at Hayes and 4 at Heathrow Airport from 10pm on Saturday March 7 until 6am on Monday March 9.