THOUSANDS of motorists were left stranded in Hampshire after a deluge of snow brought roads to a standstill.

Cars were left abandoned and emergency shelters set up in Basingstoke to cope with the number of motorists who had left their cars at the roadside.

Extra police patrols were also on duty this morning and throughout the night to help with welfare issues and to instruct and advise motorists who were stuck on gridlocked roads.

This morning there were estimated to be around 200 vehicles still on the roads and motorists were being urged to use "common sense" when retrieving them.

Drivers were being told to avoid the A31 Ropley road as it was reported to be littered with cars, some left in dangerous places.

Ambulance services were stretched with bosses registering a level four status, just one below a major emergency.

Meanwhile gritters were still out on the roads across the county as further treatment underway overnight, continues this morning and follows the continuous gritting and ploughing of a number of main roads that were worst affected by sub-zero temperatures, further snow showers, freezing rain and extreme weather conditions overnight.

According to the police some of the treated roads continued to experience problems as the salt was diluted due to the extreme conditions.

In order to provide shelter and warmth for stranded drivers, Hampshire County Council set up five emergency rest centres in the north of the county where motorists have been offered refreshments, provisions and blankets overnight.

The advice to residents and drivers remains to only make strictly necessary journeys at this time, not to travel unless you have to and only embark on a journey if it is safe to do so.If you do have to drive, take extreme care, allow plenty of extra time, avoid heavy braking, and ensure you have a blanket, warm clothes, warm refreshments, and a fully charged and working mobile phone.Motorists are advised to keep tuned into their local radio stations for the latest updates in their area.