Lynn Sterry is furious after her brand new car became "undrivable" becoming smothered in tar and gravel from a resurfaced road.

She was among at least 40 angry drivers who made complaints to Gloucestershire Highways whose subcontractors had resurfaced the A4151 between Elton Corner and Littledean.

Because of the hot weather when the work was done last Wednesday the road had not set, and motorists' tyres became smothered in tar and white gravel.

Those who called in to Gloucestershire Highways were told their cars would now be unroadworthy and should not be driven.

"It's amazing that the contractors didn't realise it was too hot to do that work," said Lynne, who had been returning home to Cinderford from a shopping trip in Gloucester.

"My car is less than a week old and now has tar splashed up the lower side of it and all over the tyres.

"I was told that there was cleaning fluid that could get it off but why should we have to fork out for that?

"I think this is typical work of a subcontractor and Gloucestershire Highways got what they paid for.

"They said they would call me back but they never did, so I don't know whether I am supposed to go to my insurance company or elsewhere."

Another driver, Tom Dawson, said his local garage had advised him not to drive his car after it suffered the same fate.

"I'm not happy as I recently paid £180 for two new tyres," said Tom, from Cinderford.

"From what I can gather they only started work in the afternoon and just wanted to rush the job and get home."

Gloucestershire Highways have stated drivers will be able to go through the claims process and the damages will be paid.

"We have been contacted by a number of drivers who experienced problems following the surface dressing scheme at Elton Corner," said Jenny Wilks, area manager for Gloucestershire Highways.

"This will go through our claims procedure and our sub-contractor will be in touch with them.

"Unfortunately due to the weather conditions on the day we experienced problems with the material setting.

"This has now been resolved as temperatures dropped overnight and the material has set."