HAMPSHIRE has been named as the most dangerous place in the UK for cyclists – and a New Forest crossroads is one of the worst junctions for crashes.

New figures from police forces across the country show that cycling enthusiasts are more likely to be injured in an accident in the county than anywhere else.

The data has been compiled by cycling injury specialists Claims.co.uk using Freedom of Information requests submitted to police

In the past year, almost ten per cent of all injury accidents involving cyclists occurred in Hampshire, with police officers attending a total of 567 collisions.

Ipley Crossroads in the New Forest is one of the worst junctions in the UK for collisions involving cyclists.

In 2017 Kieran Dix, 36, of Eastleigh, died in hospital two months after his bike was in collision with a Vauxhall Zafira at the isolated spot.

Another fatality occurred there in 2012 when fellow cyclist Mark Brummell, 53, of Southampton, was killed in a collision with a Renault Megan.

Last night members of the Southampton Cycling Campaign blamed aggressive driving for many of the accidents occurring in the county.

Jim Probert said: "Drivers in Hampshire seem to hate cyclists.

"I've often been sworn at and have also experienced many close passes. Windscreen washers have been deliberately sprayed at me, mostly in Southampton and the New Forest."