Traffic delays as fire crews tackle undergrowth blaze alongside A35 near Holmsley

THERE were long traffic delays as firefighters tackled a blaze in undergrowth alongside the A35, near Holmsley.

The alarm was raised around 12.50pm today (Monday) with multiple 999 calls reporting flames engulfing land by the side of the busy main road at Wilverley Post.

Fire crews from New Milton, Lyndhurst, Ringwood and Christchurch spent just over an hour fighting to contain the emergency which covered a 20-by-10-metre area.

They managed to prevent flames spreading to the nearby Wilverley Inclosure.

No details were available about a possible cause, but a Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said it was not being investigated.

Motorists travelling along the affected route reportedly faced long delays due to the incident.