A MAJOR Hampshire road is closed to westbound traffic following a car fire.

The A31 is shut to westbound traffic a mile before Picket Post.

Traffic is at a standstill on the approach to Poulner Hill while the fire services attend the scene, with queues of up to four miles reported.

The car has been destroyed by the blaze and it is the sixth incident major on the road in a week.

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said that crews from Burley and Ringwood were sent to the scene at 2.05pm.

They found a car well alight and confirmed that it had been severely damaged by fire.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus put out the flames and one lane was reopened shortly before 3.30pm.

By then, traffic had reached as far back as the M27.

A spokesman for Hampshire police said that it had been made aware of the incident but officers had not been called to the scene.