RUSH-HOUR commuters were today hit by a five-mile tailback as they approached the M27 from the west.

The massive hold-up was caused by flooding on the A31, which caused the right-hand lane of the westbound dual carriageway at Stoney Cross.

By 8am, the traffic congestion had tailed right back to the bottom of Poulner Hill at Ringwood as hundreds of frustrated motorists waited patiently to reach the motorway.

It was taking motorists at least one hour to get through the road chaos.

The affected stretch of the A31 has often been prone to flooding, but the heavy downpour last night and early this morning forced the lane closure.

The Met Office reported that Hampshire received more than two inches of rain in the past 24 hours.

Fields next to the M27 were again flooded this morning and weather experts warned that there was more to come.

A spokesman said blustery showers were on the way, with gusting winds of 40-60mph.

One driver this morning said he was stuck for well over an hour, crawling between Ringwood and Rufus Stone.

"It seemed to take forever, and there was only a very small area that was coned off when we got to the single lane.

"This seems to be happening all the time these days," he said.