MOTORISTS are being warned to avoid a major Hampshire motorway this evening after a nine-car pile-up brought it to a standstill.

The crash happened on the southbound carriageway of the M3 between junctions 11 and 12 shortly after 2.30pm.

Police closed lane three of the carriageway while the cars were moved to the hard shoulder.

Two people suffered minor injuries in the crash and were treated at the scene by an ambulance crew.

Another accident on the northbound carriageway shortly afterwards in between the same junctions brought further chaos to the motorway.

Both lanes have since been reopened but rush hour traffic is still heavy.