HEAVY rain and flash flooding caused havoc for motorists heading home on a busy Southampton road during tonight's rush hour.

The water is so deep in parts it has reached the bumpers of some cars on Millbrook Road leaving Southampton.

Numerous readers called the Daily Echo to report the problem and said traffic was backed up as far as the eye could see.

A Southern Water spokesman said the flooding was due to surface water and there was no burst pipe but pledged to continue to monitor the situation.

A Southampton City Council spokesman said its highways department would be attending the scene to unblock the drains.

One motorist said: "The traffic was gridlocked all the way past West Quay Retail Park and as far back as Town Quay.

"The traffic was crawling thought the flooded road in single file. Police were marshalling the traffic as best as they could.

"I was amazed at the amount of water on the road which was not draining away."