TRAFFIC chaos reigned in the New Forest this morning when several motorists were forced to carry out emergency repairs after a number of tyres were punctured by a load of nuts and bolts.

An estimated six motorists were forced to pull over and change their punctured tyres after driving over the metal objects.

It is thought that the bizarre incident was caused by a lorry which shed part of its load of nuts and bolts on the eastbound carriageway of the A31 at Poulner Hill, near Ringwood.

As a result traffic was backed up through Ringwood as cars pulled off the carriageway so drivers could fit spare tyres.

The first problems were reported to police shortly before 7am today.

Within half an hour, traffic police had removed the obstruction and according to report traffic was flowing freely again.

PC Gary Snelling, from Totton police station, told the Daily Echo: "There was a bit of metal in the road, but we're not sure at the moment exactly what it was. Cars have hit the metal and have been forced to pull off the carriageway to change tyres.

"The road was not closed, the metal has been removed, and traffic is flowing freely again."