POLICE have criticised a woman photographed sunbathing on a Hampshire motorway after a four-car pile-up.

All lanes of the M3 southbound are shut at East Stratton, between junctions eight and nine, after the incident.

Officers have criticised a woman pictured sunbathing on the carriageway following the crash.

Hampshire Roads Policing Unit wrote on social media: "Please don't do this.

"Motorcycles could be filtering and traffic could move at any time.

"This is very dangerous."

Traffic is building after the incident, which happened just before 11am.

Emergency services are on scene and five people have been injured, one with serious injuries.

One woman in her 20s has been described as "walking wounded".

Police are diverting traffic off the motorway on to the A303 to avoid the closed M3, which police say they are hoping to reopen at about 1pm.

Delays are being reported on the A34 southbound as far north as South Wonston.

Police said that a Vauxhall Astra, an Audi A3, a Renault Clio and a Ford Focus were involved in the pile up.

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said they are treating five patients, one of whom has serious injuries.

The other four have minor injuries but will require hospital treatment.

An ambulance rapid response vehicle, two ambulance officers, the Hazardous Area Response Team and four ambulances are on the scene.

A fifth ambulance has also been dispatched but due to the M3 closure and the severe tailbacks it is having to make its way to the crash on the wrong side of the motorway.