A CAR fire closed part of the A31 on Thursday morning.

Traffic was brought to a standstill on the eastbound carriageway through the New Forest following the incident on Poulner Hill, between Picket Post and Stoney Cross.

The fire service were called at 6.36am, with the single vehicle severely damaged by the blaze.

One man was treated for slight smoke inhalation at the scene, the fire service said.

Delays of more than an hour saw traffic backed up beyond Ringwood, up to the Ashley Heath roundabout.

There were also delays on the A31 at Verwood and on the A338 Bournemouth Spur Road.

Some drivers were caught in the delays on the B3072 between Verwood and Three Legged Cross as a result of traffic diverting from the A31 through roadworks being carried out by SSE.