A BOURNEMOUTH man has been killed after his car was in collision with a tractor towing a heavy load on the A31 this morning.

Emergency services raced to the scene close to the Botany Bay Inn at Winterborne Zelston, between Bere Regis and the A350, just after 6.30am.

On their arrival, the 60-year-old driver of a silver Peugeot 206 was found trapped in the wreckage and pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Volvo heavy tractor, a 42-year-old Lancashire man, and the 40-year-old driver of a vehicle escorting the large load, also from Lancashire, were both arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

They were taken to Poole police station for questioning and later released on police bail.

A police family liaison officer has notified the dead man's next of kin.

The A31 was closed in both directions following the early morning crash and surrounding routes bore the brunt of heavy traffic.

A police spokesperson said: "Diversions were put in place and major disruption to road users in the area was unavoidable."

Traffic built up on roads around the incident as vehicles were forced to find alternate routes.

The A351 to Wareham and Blandford Road North in Upton both became congested following the incident.

Police re-opened the A31 just after 12.10pm.

Investigating officer PC Simon Fairholme is keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone who saw the manner of driving of any of the vehicles involved.

Call Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.