Drivers are stuck in gridlock around Bournemouth University this morning after a 15ft tree fell on a car.

The tree smashed the windscreen of the silver Mercedes, just north of the University roundabout. The tree has since been removed by the council and the road is now clear.

University buses have been reporting delays of up to an hour and the area is still heavily congested.

A spokesperson for South Western Ambulance Service said they received the call at 8.18am. A man was treated for shock but did not sustain any injuries.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said they were called at 8.23am by the ambulance service and requested recovery for the vehicle, which was blocking the road. 

"The tree is 15ft long and 1ft in diameter and smashed the whole windscreen of the silver Mercedes registered to a Bournemouth man," they added.

A motorist, who did not wish to be named, said she drove past the scene at around 8.30am. "The traffic was horrendous around there. It took me 40 minutes to get through from Kinson.

"The tree looked as if it had split and was surrounding the car," she added.