PART of the A31 was closed after an emu escaped onto the busy road.

Traffic was slow in both directions near Ringwood as a result.

The road was shut eastbound between the A338 Salisbury Road and the Shobley/Linford turn off after the bird broke free.

According to traffic reports, it was running around the roads dangerously and causing traffic problems.

It was then reported to have been cornered in a ditch.

Some witnesses took to social media following the incident.

One wrote: "Stuck in traffic jam on the A31 due to escaped emu.

"That's a new one."

Another said: "Escaped emu. Only in Ringwood."

It is not known where it escaped from, but the emu was caught and traffic returned to normal at about 6pm.