Motorists are ignoring a road closure caused by damage to a village's historic monument.

The Oakenshaw Cross on Wyke Lane, Oakenshaw, was further damaged by a lorry over the weekend, forcing the road closure to be put in place.

Kirklees Council said the additional damage had caused the cross to tilt, causing concern that this was unsafe for passing vehicles.

“We have therefore closed the junctions off Wyke Lane, and further warning signage has been placed at all junctions leading to the roundabout with a signed diversion in place," said Councillor Naheed Mather, Kirklees Council’s cabinet member for environment.

However, the road closure has done little to deter some motorists, with numerous vehicles still using the route, which is a back road between Oakenshaw and Wyke.

During a ten-minute period this lunchtime, vehicles were seen to drive past the 'road closed' signs, including a white van and a motorcyclist.

Vehicles have been squeezing between the red barriers and the wall, mounting the kerb in order to do so.

Tyre marks on a nearby patch of grass also indicate that vehicles may have driven over the grass to go between Wyke Lane and Cross Road.