Work in a Derbyshire town centre will take a break to allow a tradition dating back to medieval times to take over.

This year the ongoing Ashbourne Reborn project clashes with the Royal Shrovetide Football which has taken place throughout the town every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday since at least 1667.

Public realm works in Dig Street and Buxton Hill will close down on Friday 28 February to make way for thousands of players to descend.

After the two teams – the Up’Ards and the Down’Ards – have competed to push the decorated ball towards opposite ends of the town, work will resume on Monday 10 March.

St John Street will then close to traffic with diversions in place.

The £15.9m Ashbourne Reborn project, by Derbyshire Dales District and Derbyshire County councils, aims to improve the pedestrian experience in the town with wider pavements and upgraded crossings.