A WOMAN has died after the car she was driving in hit a tree near Wareham.

Police said the crash happened at around 8pm on Sunday night at Longthorns, close to Monkey World.

The 29-year-old woman from Wool was driving a red Seat Leon, which left the road and hit a tree.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police closed the road to deal with the crash site and experts examined the area to look for clues as to the cause of the smash.

It is not thought any other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Police have returned to the scene this morning to continue their investigations.

Sgt Nikki Burt thanked the public for their patience and asked for any witnesses to the collision, or to the car being driven beforehand, to come forward and contact Dorset Police on 101.