POLICE have criticised a woman photographed sunbathing on a Hampshire motorway after a four-care pile-up.

All lanes of the M3 southbound were shut at East Stratton, between junctions eight and nine, after the incident.

Officers have slammed a woman pictured sunbathing on the carriageway following the crash.

Hampshire Roads Policing Unit wrote on social media: "Please don't do this.

"Motorcycles could be filtering and traffic could move at any time.

"This is very dangerous."

Traffic was building after the incident, which happened just before 11am, but all lanes have now been reopened.

Emergency services were called to the scene and five people were injured.

One woman in her 20s has been described as "walking wounded".

Police were diverting traffic off the motorway on to the A303 to avoid the closed M3, which police say they are hoping to reopen at about 1pm.

Delays were being reported on the A34 southbound as far north as South Wonston.

Police said that a Vauxhall Astra, an Audi A3, a Renault Clio and a Ford Focus were involved in the pile up.

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said they were treating five patients.

All four have been described as having minor injuries but will need hospital treatment.

One person was believed to have sustained serious injuries but their condition has been downgraded to minor.

An ambulance rapid response vehicle, two ambulance officers, the Hazardous Area Response Team and four ambulances were on the scene.

A fifth ambulance was also dispatched but due to the M3 closure and the severe tailbacks it was forced to make its way to the crash on the wrong side of the motorway.