A Southampton man has been arrested in connection with a crash that has shut the M3 for several hours.

Police were called at 6.30am after a car collided with a pedestrian on the northbound carriageway of the motorway, between junctions 9 and 8 through Winchester.

The pedestrian is in hospital in a serious condition.

READ MORE: M3 closed at Winchester for second serious crash in 24 hours

Officers were forced to shut the road between these junctions, and there are miles of tailbacks and heavy delays as far south as Chandler's Ford.

In an update at around 11.30am, police said a 37-year-old man from Southampton had been arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs.

He is currently being questioned in police custody.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said the road was due to remain closed until mid afternoon, adding: "Diversions are in place but we would urge drivers to avoid the area if they can.

"We will update as soon as the road has been re-opened."

This is the second time the northbound carriageway of the M3 has been closed in 24 hours, after a man was found seriously injured in the road yesterday afternoon.

Police renewed the call for witnesses to what happened, asking anyone who saw the crash or have dashcam footage of the incident to contact the force online or on 101 quoting incident number 44240373544.