LONG tailbacks are building up following a collision and a vehicle fire on the A31 in the New Forest.

One lane of the westbound carriageway is reported to be blocked between Castle Malwood Hill and Stoney Cross.

The congestion follows a crash and a fire which broke out beneath a Mercedes van.

Traffic is tailing back to the A31 at Cadnam, with drivers facing 20-minute delays.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: "We were called at 8.37 with reports of a collision involving two vans on the A31 westbound.

"No injuries have been reported and recovery has been called for the vehicles."

 Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service added: "Crews from Redbridge and Lyndhurst were mobilised at 8.42am.

"There was a small fire under a Mercedes van in undergrowth. It was damped down using a hose reel jet.

"The stop message came in at 9.04."