A cheaper and easier way of fixing potholes is being tried out in West Cumbria.

Cumbria County Council used the method in Church Road, Seaton, last week, after a successful trial in Copeland.

The thermal process involves heating up the effected area of road to a high temperature.

Existing material from the road is then mixed with new material to fill the hole.

The method can be used on potholes and small areas of sunken road surface.

Unlike traditional repair methods, it results in no waste rubble, which costs the council more than £100 per tonne to dispose of.

Councillor Keith Little, cabinet member responsible for highways, said the process was also quicker than traditional methods, with the road ready to drive on 15 minutes after repairs were completed.

Karl Meville, senior manager for network management, said the cost, time and quality of the Church Road repairs would be assessed against the previous method.

He added: "We have got to look at this kind of thing as our budgets and resources are being cut back. We are trying to look at methods to maintain the network differently."