THE QE2 Bridge will be shut for more than 12 hours over the weekend.

Planned maintenance work will take place from 8pm tomorrow (Saturday) evening until 10am on Sunday morning.

The closure is part of a two-year project to replace expansion joints on the bride, which allow it to expand and contract with changes in temperature.

Traffic travelling from Essex into Kent on the clockwise M25 will be diverted through the east tunnel.

Motorists travelling anti-clockwise from Kent into Essex will use the west bore.

A signed diversion will be in place for over-sized vehicles travelling from Kent towards Essex.