TRAFFIC chaos hit part of Hampshire today after vandals sabotaged signs directing drivers to the New Forest Show.

Huge tailbacks built up on the A337, with motorists taking an hour to complete the two-mile journey from Lyndhurst to the showground at New Park, Brockenhurst.

The three-day show always causes congestion on roads in the Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst area but today's delays were much worse than normal.

Officials said long queues started to form after some of the signs directing traffic were removed or turned around before the gates opened at 8.15am.

A show spokesman said: "We believe that children were probably responsible for uprooting some of the signs and switching others around.

"Their actions resulted in the public using the same entrance as the exhibitors. It gummed everything and was very upsetting."

FOR COVERAGE OF THE SHOW SEE TODAY'S DAILY ECHO