MOTORISTS are facing long delays after a 32-ton truck tipped over on a busy slip road.

The slip road from the Ashley Heath roundabout has been closed, meaning motorists cannot join the A31 eastbound towards Ringwood and Southampton.

Instead those travelling north on the A338 Spur Road are being given the choice of travelling straight ahead towards Horton Road or going left on to the A31 westbound and changing direction at the first roundabout.

Police were called to the scene at around 10.40am and discovered that the truck, belonging to an Oxford-based company and carrying building waste, was on its side.

The male driver, the only occupant of the vehicle, suffered serious, but not life-threatening or life-changing injuries.

PC Tim Brehmer of the Dorset Police traffic unit said he believes the road will be closed until around 2pm. Recovery of the vehicle is under way.

Officers are also arranging for hydraulic oil, which spilled on to the road, to be cleared up before the road re-opens.

There are a number of emergency service vehicles at the scene.

PC Brehmer thanked motorists for their patience.