A WOMAN has been taken to hospital after a multi-vehicle pile-up sparked major delays for motorists on a Hampshire motorway.

Up to seven cars are believed to have been involved in the smash on the M27 at around 7.45am.

Motorists are facing delays of at least an hour as the two outside lanes of the eastbound carriageway have been closed just before Junction 9 for Whiteley and Fareham.

It is thought the crash happened after a wheel fell off a blue Vauxhall Astra, driven by a woman from Botley.

The female driver of a red Ford Fiesta is understood to be the only person injured in the incident, and ambulance crews have taken her to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.

Other vehicles involved in the crash included a black Citroen Saxo, a silver Audi A4, a white Peugeot van, a blue Audi A4 and a green Vauxhall Astra.

There are lengthy tailbacks behind the incident, which have been made worse by another minor crash in the queues.