THE A338 out of Bournemouth was closed for hours on Saturday night after a Land Rover and trailer carrying diesel crashed earlier.

The northbound carriageway was closed between Blackwater and Ashley Heath until late evening while recovery and repairs took place.

Initial reports suggested that a diesel tanker had overturned, but it later transpired that the Scottish and Southern Electric-branded Land Rover was towing a trailer with a diesel tank on it.

The accident left diesel spilt on the carriageway and the central barrier was badly damaged.

Police and the fire brigade were called at 5.55pm to the scene, about two miles south of Ashley Heath, on the northbound carriageway.

The road was completely shut for around 40 minutes, as the vehicle was blocking it and facing south.

One lane reopened at 6.40pm, police said, to allow stuck traffic to slowly pass the scene.

However, the road remained closed to other traffic for hours while the vehicle was recovered and repairs carried out.

Vehicles were diverted off at Blackwater Junction and alternative routes were congested earlier.

A police spokesman told the Daily Echo that there were no injuries and recovery was arranged.