PART of a busy Hampshire motorway was closed this afternoon when firefighters tackled a smouldering car.

A Peugeot 307 driver pulled over on the M3 northbound carriageway close to junction 11 at Winchester at 1.38pm when smoke began billowing from the vehicle's bonnet.

Two lanes were sealed off while fire crews arrived to deal with the vehicle and prevent it bursting into flames.

Noone was hurt but the car was badly damaged and is waiting to be recovered.

Motorists were caught in severe delays before the road reopened at 2.10pm.