PART of a Hampshire motorway is today closed for emergency repairs following a car fire resulting in a driver needing hospital treatment.

One lane of the M27 eastbound slip road onto the M271 at junction three will be sealed off until tonight.

It follows a blaze which was one of a string of rush hour crashes on M27 which caused chaos for motorists this morning.

Four separate crashes happened between junctions three and four, which resulted in three people being rushed to hospital.

A blue VW Polo caught alight when it was in collision on the eastbound carriageway on the eastbound slip road onto the M271 junction roundabout at 9.25am.

The VW driver was taken to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance.

Police sealed off the slip road while crews from Redbridge and Romsey fire stations were sent to the scene and used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to put out the fire.

One of two lanes was opened by 11am, but the remaining lane is still closed while repairs are made.

It is on top of major works are already taking place on the roundabout itself as part of a £2m scheme to improve the junction.

Earlier three vehicles crashed on the same carriageway close to Rownhams Services at 8.45am.

Two patients were assessed at the scene and taken to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance.

On the opposite carriageway at around 10am white Mercedes sprinter van was in collision with a black convertible.

Around that time a white pick-up was in collision with a black BMW Three Series 4x4.

An ambulance was called to treat three casualties, but their injuries did not require hospital treatment.

The series of crashes initially caused long delays for motorists but the vehicles were moved to the hard shoulder soon afterwards.