A PUB and houses have had to be evacuated after a large gas leak in a village street. 

Yesterday evening emergency services rushed to Curdridge Lane, Curdridge to deal with a large gas leak outside The Cricketers Inn.

Police were called just after 6pm after reports of a vehicle crashing into a gas pipe.

The pub and four nearby houses had to be evacuated and a cordon was set up whilst crews waited for the gas board to attend.

A road closure was put in place by police with fire crews from Bishops Waltham in attendence alongside Hampshire Highways and Southern Gas Network.

The fractured gas main was made safe by the gas company with firefighters assisting using two sets of breathing apparatus and one jet.

Crews stood down at around 8.30pm and no one was reported injured in the crash.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "Currently dealing with a large gas leak outside the Cricketers public house, Curdridge.

"Pub & local houses evacuated, working with Southern Gas Network (SGN) to safely resolve the incident."