A NEW team was launched yesterday to keep a watchful eye on Hampshire's motorways.

Highways Agency patrol officers, pictured, will be responsible for the M3 and M27 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

They will cone off the road when there is an accident, deal with broken-down vehicles and try to ease congestion. They have no arresting powers and cannot break the speed limit.

The move is aimed at freeing up police to cover more serious incidents.

Highways Agency spokesman Gary Parsons said: "We have high-visibility patrols, which will patrol the motorways looking for incidents, whether a broken-down vehicle or an accident.

"We will clear debris from the road or help police with clearing up after an incident has taken place and try to keep congestion to a minimum."

PC Gavin Hemingway, based at North Walls, Winchester, said: "There are incidents where a police vehicle is probably not best employed, such as waiting with a broken-down lorry.

"In those circumstances, these highways officers will be able to provide support to us and they will be able to release us so we can attend to other things."