FIRE crews had to remove the side of a car this morning to release a person trapped inside.

Emergency services were called to Hurn Road at 7.20am after the black Honda Civic left the road and careered into trees and bushes.

The road was closed between Ashley Heath and Boundary Lane for more than two-and-a-half hours, leading to diversions for rush hour traffic.

A Dorset Police spokesman said a man suffered serious chest injuries and has been taken to Poole Hospital.  The vehicle is registered to a woman from Ringwood.

Local authority staff attended the scene at Avon Castle to clear up an oil spillage and the road was re-opened just before 10am.