A RUNAWAY Jack Russell dog brought traffic to a standstill on the southbound lane of the M271 near Southampton yesterday - and still managed to escape being collared by the long arm of the law.

Motorway police and frustrated motorists teamed up in a bid to catch the errant mutt after the police received calls from concerned drivers from 11.15am.

The crazy 17-month-old canine, christened Trixie, risked life and paw dodging between passing vehicles for more than two hours before darting off into the Test Park playing fields.

Last night Trixie's owner Alan Martin, 48, of Guernsey Close, Lordshill, Southampton, who had only bought the black-and-white dog from a Ringwood couple on Wednesday, issued a heartfelt appeal for the safe return of his "new best friend".

"I decided to take her out for a walk but she was pulling on the lead soon after we had left home. I got into Lower Brownhill Road and she pulled so hard that she came loose from her lead and ran towards Millbrook Community School. She then went down Green Lane and into Colne Avenue and the next thing I knew my girlfriend phoned me to say that people were calling the local radio stations saying they had seen a Jack Russell on the M271.

"When I got down to the motorway I saw police officers in a Land Rover who said they were trying to catch a stray dog but it was too quick for them.

"I couldn't see Trixie anywhere. Goodness knows where she is now.

"When we bought her she looked very nervous and perhaps I should have waited a few days before taking her out for a walk. I hope Daily Echo readers can help bring her home."

Yesterday's pantomime-style pooch chase comes as four months of roadworks on the northbound lane of the M271 are due to start on Monday - prompting even longer delays than those caused by work on the adjoining A33 and A35 Redbridge Road.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: "We sent four officers down to catch the dog after receiving several calls from motorists.

"Some drivers even got out of their vehicles to try to help but we were unable to catch it before it went out of sight."

Anyone with information on Trixie's whereabouts can contact Alan on 0793 1277 352.