A BIN lorry crashed through a fence into a field near Winchester this afternoon.

The vehicle driver apparently lost control and careered off the road and into the field near Sparsholt College, causing damage to the wooden and wire fence.

The field is often grazed by the college's cattle and sheep but none appeared to have been in the field at the time.

The reason for the diversion from its usual route was unclear. The weather was dry and the visibility was good on the B3049 Stockbridge Road close to the junction with Westley Lane this afternoon.

A city council spokesman said: "One of our contracted Biffa bin lorries was involved in an incident while collecting garden waste. Thankfully nobody was injured and we are working with Biffa to investigate the incident."

The B3049 was closed for a time to allow for the vehicle to be recovered.