PART of a busy road was closed for around five hours after a four-vehicle crash which caused gridlock in East Dorset.

The crash, involving two lorries, a van and a car, happened on the A31 near Merley at around 9.45am on Friday, June 18.

Officers attended and the road was closed eastbound between the A349 near Merley and the B3073 near Little Canford.

A diversion was put in place for motorists, however, drivers were advised to avoid Wimborne due to “severe disruption” in the area.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council’s traffic and travel service on Twitter said: "Due to severe disruption in the Wimborne area, if you do not need to make a journey at this time, please postpone it.

"The A31 and the town centre are currently experiencing severe delays after a combination of road traffic collisions and flooding following rainfall."

Minor injuries were sustained during the crash on the A31 and the road reopened at around 2.50pm.