THERE were several miles of traffic queues in the New Forest following an accident which left a police motorcyclist seriously injured.

A stretch of the A337 was closed for five-and-a-half hours for investigations and recovery. It re-opened just after 5pm.

Police say the 45-year-old officer was responding to another accident when the collision happened at around 12.30pm, outside of Clayhill House just south of Lyndhurst.

His marked BMW motorcycle was in collision with a grey Volkswagen Caddy van. The officer suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to Southampton General Hospital.

His immediate family have been informed.

The driver of the Volkswagen is being interviewed but no arrest has been made, police said.

The A337 has re-opened allowing traffic to travel through A35 Gosport Lane in Lyndhurst and the B3055 Balmer Lawn Road at Brockenhurst.

There was a solid queue of several miles approaching Lyndhurst and police urged drivers to avoid the area.

Anybody who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Sergeant Darren Ord of the Roads Policing Unit at Eastleigh Police Station by phoning 101.

Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.