A POLICE training exercise caused concerns for motorists after they witnessed a man being pulled from his vehicle on the motorway.

They told how they had seen the vehicle surrounded by four police cars on the westbound inner lane of the M27 near the bridge over the River Hamble at junction eight.

Drivers were slowed down by officers in a fifth car as they approached the scene just before 11am today.

But Hampshire Constabulary said it was a training exercise for the roads policing unit and thanked motorists for their patience.

A spokesman said: “We would like to thank motorists for their patience while the exercise was carried out.”

They refused to say what the officers were learning to do.