POLICE have criticised a woman photographed sunbathing on a Hampshire motorway after a four-care pile-up.

All lanes of the M3 southbound were shut at East Stratton, between junctions eight and nine, after the incident.

Officers have criticised a woman pictured by ITV news, sunbathing on the carriageway following the crash.

Hampshire Roads Policing Unit wrote on social media: "Please don't do this.

"Motorcycles could be filtering and traffic could move at any time.

"This is very dangerous."

The incident happened just before 11am.

Emergency services came to the scene and five people have been injured.

One woman in her 20s has been described as "walking wounded"

Police said that a Vauxhall Astra, an Audi A3, a Renault Clio and a Ford Focus were involved in the pile up.

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said they treated five patients.

All four have been described as having minor injuries but will need hospital treatment.

One person was believed to have sustained serious injuries but their condition has been downgraded to minor.

An ambulance rapid response vehicle, two ambulance officers, the Hazardous Area Response Team and four ambulances were sent to the scene.