FIREFIGHTERS were called to an HGV on the M3 near Winchester early today after its wheels caught fire.

The lorry, carrying two large excavators, was about to join the motorway at Winnall when its brakes overheated.

Nine firefighters from Winchester extinguished the blaze after being called to the scene at 5am.

The wheels were well alight when fire crews arrived but the blaze was confined to the underside of the trailer unit.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said no-one was hurt in the incident.

One lane was closed northbound on the entry slip at Junction 9 but was reopened at around 8.30am.