BAFFLED engineers have been forced to close a major route through Studley after a mysterious hole appeared under the road.

The A435 was partially closed two weeks ago when 'voiding' appeared under the surface near Watts Road.

The road has been closed for a week while engineers look in to the hole.

The problem was first reported by the parish council when the kerb of the road appeared to slump.

Councillor Bill McCarthy said he saw a cavernous hole under the road surface.

There were reports of 20-minute queues as traffic reached the closed road, a busy route from Birmingham.

Highways Agency project manager Godfrey Short said: "Our routine inspections have shown problems with voiding or holes beneath the carriageway.

"While we have started some investigations with a single lane closure, we need a total closure at this point to complete the investigation and make the repairs."

Diversions are in place and the road should be re-opened at the weekend.

There are rumours the pit was caused by water leaking from a burst water main washing soil into a broken sewer.