THREE drivers escaped a motorway pile up on the M3 at Eastleigh with minor injuries today - thanks to the morning rush hour.

The weight of traffic on the busy road meant that vehicles were moving at a relatively low speed during the peak drive-to-work time.

Even so, the three cars involved in the crash on the northbound carriageway suffered extensive damage - and two lanes of the motorway were closed for a time.

The accident happened at 8.55am near Junction 13 shortly after M27 traffic joins the M3 at Eastleigh.

Traffic police said a white Peugeot 306 had broken down in lane three and a Toyota Corolla drew up behind it. The Toyota was stationary but the driver then decided to move out and join lane two to avoid the broken down vehicle, unaware that a Vauxhall Astra was undertaking.

The Astra hit the Toyota which was pushed into the broken down car and then went across all three lanes of the motorway before coming to a halt in lane one.

An Eastleigh traffic police spokesman said three people suffered whiplash injuries in the accident which caused major traffic tailbacks.

Two lanes were brought to a standstill.