TWO people had to be airlifted to hospital after a multi-car crash on a major Hampshire road.

The crash which saw one car catch fire on the A3, shut the dual carriageway in both directions this morning.

A black Peugeot 306 broke down on the southbound carriage way near the Buriton turn-off, shortly before 9.10am. A lorry then collided with the Peugeot.

Fire crews from Petersfield and Horndean were called to put out the blaze and two people were taken to Southampton General Condition via air ambulance and are in a 'serious' condition according to the South Central Ambulance Service.

The northbound carriage way is now open but the southbound carriageway is not expected to reopen until early afternoon.