ONE of Hampshire's busiest roads was hit by rush-hour chaos today after a car left the carriageway and ended up on the central reservation.

Huge tailbacks built up on the A31 between Cadnam and Ringwood after a silver-coloured Mercedes went out of control and flipped on to its roof.

Police closed the outer lane of the westbound carriageway for more than two hours after the accident happened at 6.40am.

Queues stretched as far back as Junction 1 of the M27, resulting in a miserable journey to work for thousands of motorists.

Police are investigating reports that the Mercedes was travelling east along the A31 when it careered into the central reservation and overturned, partially blocking one of the westbound lanes.

A man and a woman were trapped in the wreckage.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service released the man, who was taken to hospital with what police described as serious but not life-threatening injuries. The woman was already out of the vehicle when the fire crews arrived from Totton, Burley and Lyndhurst.

The road re-opened at 9.15am but police said it would take at least half an hour for the congestion to clear.