Aberdeen's third Don crossing could be delayed again as serious concerns are raised over the project's budget.

Council finance chiefs estimate the controversial £18m bridge could end up as much as £2m over budget, it is understood.

The bridge was due to be finished in December 2015 but a series of delays pushed the completion date back to March 2016.

Contractor Balfour Beatty has now warned of possible further setbacks.

In the council's latest update on the scheme, project manager Ian Taylor reported: "The contractual completion date for the project is March 2016.

"The contractor has indicated a risk to this timescale and officers are working closely with the contractor to substantiate any delays and mitigate these.

"The budget has also been flagged as red due to some unforeseen works affecting the overall cost, however, officers are working this through with the contractor."

Construction at the site was also temporarily halted last month following the death of a worker.

The as-yet unnamed crossing is the first bridge built in the city in more than 30 years and is expected to improve traffic around the River Don.

The project includes the construction of more than a mile of roads either side of the Don to facilitate the single-carriageway span between the Parkway and Tillydrone.