A YOUNG family suffered minor injuries in a crash on the A35 near Bere Regis this morning.

Two adults, both aged 30, and children aged nine, seven and four have been taken to hospital after their Toyota Hilux pick-up truck overturned.

The truck was towing a caravan at the time. 

The incident happened around a mile from the Bere Regis roundabout. The Hilux had been travelling westbound but ended up in the eastbound carriageway, according to reports.

Five ambulances were sent to the scene. However, the casualties, who live in Southampton, did not sustain serious injuries.

They have been taken to hospital to be checked over by doctors.

The caravan was badly damaged in the collision, with debris strewn across the road. A recovery truck has been arranged.

Both lanes were blocked and traffic in the area was at a standstill. Officers directed motorists around the scene.

The Highways Agency was contacted to clear up the debris and repair damage to a central barrier.

The road reopened fully shortly before 2pm.

Anyone with information about the circumstances of the collision is asked to contact PC Mark Palmer at Dorset Police by calling 101 and quoting incident 173 of today, September 3.