MOTORISTS faced rush-hour delays when two lorries laden with JCB diggers collided on the M27 near Southampton this morning.

Long queues built up along the westbound carriageway at near Rownhams after the pair of 39-ton flat-bed HGVs were involved in a crash around 7.45am.

Police said no-one was seriously hurt in the collision but one driver suffered slight injuries and was left badly shaken.

The crash caused long delays after initially blocking two lanes of the motorway.

At one point, police reported tailbacks stretching as far as junction five near Southampton Airport.

Traffic officers based at Eastleigh police station raced to the scene after the crash was reported and remained there throughout the recovery process.

Police said the pair of identical lorries had been moved to the hard shoulder but lane one of the westbound carriageway remained blocked more than an hour later.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to call Eastleigh traffic police on 0845 045 4545 with any information.