THERE have been major delays on the A338 Wessex Way near Hampshire this afternoon after a crash involving five cars.

Traffic travelling northbound was at a standstill following the crash, which blocked the road between Castle Lane West (Cooper Dean Roundabout) and Blackwater Junction.

Motorists have reportedly been stuck in the gridlock for up to 30 minutes, with some drivers getting out of their cars.

Police officers were turning back traffic so recovery vehicles could get to the scene.

All lanes have now been re-opened, but traffic remains very slow.

There is congestion on the A338 Wessex Way all the way back to Richmond Park Road (Springbourne Roundabout).

There is also very slow traffic on Castle Lane West both ways between Cooper Dean and Whitelegg Way (Redhill Roundabout) as a result of the crash.

The tailbacks were not helped by the earlier blockage of the A338.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "There is a huge tailback of traffic, but officers are dealing with the situation."

They added officers passed by the crash at around 11.10am, and five vehicles were involved - four BMWs and a Ford Focus.

Ambulance were called to the scene, but no major injuries have been reported.