Police have named a mother of two who died when her car careered across the A31 Alresford bypass and plunged off a bridge into a field 30ft below.

She was Deborah Wheeler (38), of Fairview Close, Cupernham, near Romsey. Married, with two young sons, she was joint secretary of a parents' group at Cupernham Infant School.

The accident happened soon after noon on Thursday in last week and Mrs Wheeler died at the scene.

She was on her own in the maroon Ford Galaxy, driving in the direction of Winchester when it left the single-carriageway road 200 yards ahead of the Ladycroft roundabout.

It crashed through the barrier on the Alresford side of the bridge spanning the lane to Tichborne and the River Itchen, landing on its roof in the watermeadow.

The road was closed for seven hours while the car was recovered and traffic was diverted through Alresford and Bishop's Sutton.

Police say no other vehicles were involved in the accident.

They are still appealing for witnesses: "The matter is under investigation and papers are being forwarded to the coroner," a spokesman added.