A HAMPSHIRE road closed following the death of a motorist after their car crashed and burst into flames has been reopened.

The accident on the A337 in the New Forest, which saw the car career off the road and explode into flames, happened in the early hours of this morning.

Police and fire crews were called at 3.10am this morning to Milford Road between Everton and Pennington, after reports of a car on fire.

Officers found a white Volvo saloon car on fire in a ditch. It is believed that the car had been travelling from Lymington towards New Milton, when it came off the road and collided with trees and caught fire.

Totton Road Policing Unit's Sgt Glen Barham, said: "About 3.10am this morning we received a call to say that a vehicle had been found off the road and on fire on Milford Road.

"Police were deployed to it with the fire service.

"We have identified that a deceased person was found in the vehicle and we are working to identify the person so that we can make sure that next of kin are informed.

"We are exploring all opportunities and we are keeping an open mind."

Accident investigators from Hampshire Police have been at the scene for most of the day, forcing its closure between the B3058 Lymington Road, Everton, and Haglane Copse, Lymington.

But it has now been reopened.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen the car or otherwise be able to help in the investigation to contact Totton Road Policing Unit on 101, quoting Operation Ascella.