Hundreds of drivers stranded overnight in snow (From Daily Echo)

Cars abandoned in Hampshire's A3 as snow brings chaos

8:00am Wednesday 6th January 2010 in Hampshire's Snow of 2010

Traffic Chaos as snow hits Hampshire. Photo by echo reader Amy Skelton

HUNDREDS of drivers were left stranded across Hampshire as snow brought chaos to the county.

Motorists were forced to spend the night in their cars as the A3 was brought to a standstill.

This morning emergency services were drafting in the military to help rescue some drivers who have been trapped for up to 12 hours. The road ground to a halt at about 7pm trapping drivers near Petersfield.

Between 600 to 1,000 vehicles were caught up in an eight to nine mile tailbackon the road.

Emergency services were forced to set up three temporary shelters on the route.

Meanwhile across the rest of the county drivers abandonned their cars at roadsides and in lay bys as the weather for worse.

Police have even advised drivers not to use the A35 between the M3 and the A303 due to the weather.

In Titchfield a pensioner died after crashing in icy conditions in Hampshire .

The man was driving his blue Morris Minor along Common Lane in Titchfield when he was involved in a collision.

The accident happened at around 6.55pm and no other cars are believed to have been involved. The elderly man was found slumped at the wheel of his car and pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen the collision or seen the blue Morris Minor in the local area.

South West Trains are warning of delays and bus routes have been suspended in Fareham and Gosport.