Parts of the heart of Burley-in-Wharfedale could be closed off to motorists for more than three months this summer.

Yorkshire Water has revealed details of a major sewerage pipe clean-up project for the village's Main Street which could take up to 16 weeks.

The work would involve digging two to three metres into the middle of the road from its junction with Corn Mill Lane to the junction with Long Meadows.

A four-strong team from the company announced the news at a meeting of Burley Community Open Forum last week.

Burley Community Council member David Howe said: "From what they've told us it sounds like Main Street will be in a state of flux for around 13 weeks, with traffic diverted around the sections affected.

"It has come out of the blue and it is fair to say it has come as a real shock to everyone in the village."

But Yorkshire Water insist the work will be done in easy to manage portions which will allow normal life to carry on with minimal inconvenience.

The firm says it is too early to comment on the effect on traffic, but says the work will bring real benefits to residents in terms of both water quality and drainage.

A spokesman said: "We are still in the very early stages yet with no starting date fixed, but we are looking at beginning in mid to late summer.

"The work will involve cleaning out sediment from the inside of the mains pipes and re-aligning them so there's less chance of bursting.

"The same thing will be done to the sewer system. This work is being done as a preventative measure because we realised the pipes are not in the best condition they could be, and there has been some flooding problems in previous years."

The Community Forum would be updated about the plans each month, he added, and said the company planned to hold a presentation on the scheme in the village before work began.