A sinkhole has appeared in a Perthshire town centre.
Part of Wellmeadow in Blairgowrie was shut down when a section of road outside the Cartwheel Inn caved in.
Engineers are being drafted in to carry out emergency repairs on the collapsed drain.
The incident was reported just after 6.30pm on Friday night. Diversions are in place.
A spokeswoman for the Cartwheel said: “The hole is covered up just now, so its hard to say how big it is, but it’s at least two feet across.
“It seems to be really deep. It just seems to have collapsed.
“There was a lot of police around the pub last night, making sure the place safe. No one has been hurt, thankfully, and we are able to open as usual.”
The area has been cordoned off and repairs are due to get under way on Monday.
Residents said the hole appeared after a freak rain shower. One said it sounded like thundered when the carriageway caved in.
It is understood repairs are due to get under way on Monday.
Local councillor Caroline Shiers has written to Perth and Kinross Council Depute chief executive Jim Valentine for assurances.
She is concerned that the road should ideally be ready in time for next weekend’s Braemar Gathering, which will bring a lot of traffic through the town.
“I note diversions are in place, but obviously this will be disruptive to businesses and residents, so a quick a resolution as possible, so that normal service can continue, is important,” she said.
“The A93 is always much more busier during the Braemar Gathering. It will also be a big day in Blairgowrie with Braemar Day happening and roadworks in the town centre will pose a problem for parades.”
Police were called in on Friday to secure the area and make sure everyone was safe.
Southbound traffic is in the meantime redirected along Sraid Leslidh.
The cause of the hole has yet to be determined. Natural sinkholes usually occur when heavy rainfall seeps down through surface soil and sediment triggering a cave in.
