A MAJOR police investigation was launched today after the body of a man was found on a Hampshire motorway slip road.

The dead man was discovered by a driver as he pulled off the M3 on to the slip road at junction nine near Winchester.

Detectives immediately sealed off the scene by closing the junction, causing substantial congestion and queues.

It meant drivers wanting to get on to the A34 towards Oxford and The Midlands have had to continue on the motorway to junction seven at Basingstoke.

Hampshire Constabulary managed to get the road reopened just before 4pm, following a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

They also closed the road into Winnall off junction nine up to the roundabout near the Tesco superstore, though that reopened at the same time.

However the force's road policing unit warned motorists to expect delays until 4.30pm as the backlog of traffic slowly cleared.

At this stage police say they still have no idea how the man came to be where he was found and say they are keeping an open mind as to the cause of his death.

They have also appealed for any witnesses who saw someone matching the man's description to get in touch.

The victim is described as in his 50s or 60s with balding grey hair and who was wearing a light brown anorak and brown trousers.

He was found by the motorist shortly before 9.15am.

Chief Inspector Roy Bayntun said: "It's not clear at this stage how this man's body came to be found on the carriageway and we are keeping an open mind into the causes.

"The area around the Winnall roundabout and junction nine of the M3 would have been very busy at that time of the morning and I am appealing for anyone who may have seen what happened to contact me. It might be that that traffic has since left the area continuing their journey on the M3 or A34.

"I am also keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a man fitting the description of the deceased crossing the carriageway at this time."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the roads policing unit at Whitchurch quoting Operation Page on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.