TRAFFIC has returned to normal following hours of massive delays after two accidents closed one lane during the busiest time of the day.

Lane one of the M27 eastbound at junction 4 on the M3 was closed earlier this evening so recovery vehicles could clear two separate crashes involving a total of seven vehicles.

But the lane is now open after debris and damaged vehicles were recovered.

The first accident involved a car and a van at 5.30pm, where Hampshire Police said there were only minor injuries, but less than half an hour later just yards up the same road five vehicles were involved in a shunt.

A driver of a Ford Focus had to be cut from their car. But there were no serious injuries.