"KEEP calm and carry on shopping in Haslemere."

That is the message as the town braces itself for four months of essential major road works starting on Monday.

With at least two of the town centre's main arteries blocked to traffic for some – if not all of the 16 weeks of major gas pipe renewal scheme – town traders and a representative from Southern Gas Networks (SGN) met last week to discuss how to minimise disruption and keep the town moving until normal service returns to the townat the end of August this year.

Town councillor Melanie Odell, vowed: "We are not happy about the road works, but they are not going to go away and we are going to use it as an opportunity to market Haslemere and work as a team.

"All the car parks are open and businesses are raring to go," Mrs Odell added.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.