GAS main replacement works in the city centre have been held up after equipment was not delivered.

Residents contacted the Worcester News yesterday upset at seeing workmen "wasting time" while the work was causing traffic delays.

But National Grid, which is carrying out the work in the Tything, said equipment that was supposed to arrive yesterday was the cause of the delay. The equipment will now arrive today, a spokesman added.

Shona Kate Lane said: "It made me mad to see them wasting time when the chaos being caused traffic wise is unbelievably awful.

"Not a scrap of work has been done - disgusting waste of money."

But the National Grid spokesman said the work to upgrade the gas mains is "essential" and apologised for any disruption at the busy junction.

"We have had to install temporary traffic lights to keep our engineers and other road-users safe while we renew the gas mains," they said.

The work is expected to last until November 11.