PART of a major Hampshire road has been closed by a serious accident involving a lorry and a pedestrian.

The A34 northbound has been shut between the junctions of the A33 at Kings Worthy and the A272 at Littleton following the collision, which occurred at 4.45am.

Motorway traffic is having to join the M3 eastbound at junction 9, from the previous junction on the A34, and then continue eastbound to junction seven.

The closure caused severe congestion around Winchester with drivers reporting journeys of three miles taking 90 minutes.

Non-motorway traffic can travel via the A33 and the A303.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

A spokesman said: "The collision happened on the northbound carriageway between the A33 split and the A272 junction.

"The A34 is closed this morning between the Kings Worthy junction and Three Maids Hill to allow us to carry out enquiries.

"Officers investigating the incident would like to hear from anyone who was travelling along this part of the A34 this morning and witnessed this incident."

Anyone with information can call officers on 101, quoting reference number 79 of November 19 or Operation Permit.

The accident is said to be causing 20-minute delays in the area.

The road traffic management system ROMANSE has tweeted: "Slow northbound on Spitfire Link between A31 Petersfield Road and M3 junction 9 Winnall due to closure of A34."

One of the motorists who took to social media following the accident described the Winnall roundabout as "bedlam".

Another added: "This road is awful. Hope all involved are OK."