A LORRY laden with fertilisers and pet foods sparked an environmental scare when it collided with a notorious Hampshire railway bridge.

Police said a delicate recovery operation was launched which blocked the road for nearly seven hours as emergency services battled to free the vehicle.

The lorry, which was written off, crashed at Greatbridge Road, Romsey, just after 8.20am yesterday.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said emergency crews feared fertilisers and other stock could pollute a nearby trout farm. But the lorry was recovered by 3pm, and the road was reopened.

Police said no one had been injured in the crash. The collision caused minor structural damage to the bridge.